Bihar Pushes Rural Electrification, Solar Expansion at Energy Conclave

NEW DELHI, September 10: Bihar Energy Minister Shailesh Kumar on Thursday highlighted the state’s progress in rural electrification and its clean-energy initiatives, including rooftop solar for 2.5 lakh below-poverty-line (BPL) families and solarisation of 2,560 agricultural feeders.

Addressing the 19th Environment and Energy Conclave in New Delhi, where Bihar was the State Partner, Kumar said sustained investment in power infrastructure had helped transform the state’s electricity sector. The conclave, organised by The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) at Le Meridien, was themed “Energy Security for Atmanirbhar Bharat in a Changing Geopolitical Landscape.”

Speaking on “Har Ghar Bijli: Bihar’s Rural Electrification Story”, Kumar said energy security was central to India’s pursuit of self-reliance amid changing geopolitical conditions.

“Bihar’s journey in the power sector reflects what sustained investment and political will can achieve. From a state that once struggled with basic electricity access, we have built the infrastructure to light up every home and every field,” he said.

The minister said Bihar had strengthened generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure, with expanded grids, substations and transmission lines. The state’s peak power demand has reached around 9,475 MW.

On clean energy, Kumar said the state was working to provide 1-kW rooftop solar systems to 2.5 lakh BPL households by the end of October. It plans to subsequently extend the initiative to another 2.5 lakh families.

He said around 2,000-2,200 of the targeted 2,560 agricultural feeders had already been solarised, with the programme aimed at providing farmers affordable and reliable electricity while promoting clean energy.

Bihar would continue strengthening its energy infrastructure and was open to investments and partnerships in the sector, Kumar said.

BEE Director General Krushna Chandra Panigrahi, former International Solar Alliance Director General Ajay Mathur, NTPC Executive Director Vijay Goel and JSW Energy Vice President Abhishek Chatterjee attended the conclave.

Representatives from Bangladesh, Norway and Denmark also participated.