Bihar Eyes Top Spot in India's Renewable Energy Race
Bihar Energy Minister Shailesh Kumar reveals massive solar and storage projects to make the state a leader in renewable energy.
Bihar is positioning itself to become a powerhouse in the renewable energy sector, with the state government aggressively pushing for solar adoption and advanced energy storage solutions. State Energy Minister Shailesh Kumar has expressed confidence that Bihar will emerge as the number one state in the sector, driven by a surge in investor interest and a robust pipeline of sanctioned projects.
Massive Push via PM-KUSUM Scheme
A cornerstone of Bihar's strategy is the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme. Minister Kumar revealed that the state has already sanctioned essential projects under this initiative, totaling a massive 2,900 MW.
The PM-KUSUM scheme is designed to transform the agricultural landscape by:
- Reducing the farming sector's heavy reliance on diesel.
- Boosting farmers' incomes through the adoption of solar energy.
- Providing central government subsidies of 30 to 50 percent for installing standalone solar pumps or solarising existing grid-connected pumps.
- Allowing farmers to utilize barren or fallow land to set up grid-connected solar power plants of up to 2 MW, selling the generated electricity back to local power distribution companies (DISCOMs) at regulated tariffs.
Solarising the Grid and Energy Storage
Beyond agricultural support, the state is looking at large-scale infrastructure shifts. The government plans to segregate and solarise approximately 2,500 electricity feeders across Bihar to ensure a more sustainable power distribution network.
To tackle the challenge of energy intermittency, Bihar is investing heavily in storage technology. Key projects include:
- Nawada: A massive 1,600 MW pumped storage project is currently under development.
- Battery Storage: A 500 MW battery energy storage project is being implemented.
- Kajra: Similar initiatives have already been undertaken in Kajra, with the state now moving toward its second and third phases of such projects.
Attracting Global and Domestic Investors
The shift toward green energy is not just a government mandate but is becoming a magnet for private capital. Minister Kumar highlighted that a growing number of investors are showing keen interest in Bihar's potential.
To ensure these projects move from paper to reality, the state government is actively facilitating investments. This includes providing necessary administrative support and, crucially, allocating land to ensure that renewable energy plants can be established without bureaucratic delays.
"Bihar will emerge as the number one state in the renewable energy sector. We have already sanctioned all the necessary projects under the PM-KUSUM scheme," said Energy Minister Shailesh Kumar.