New Delhi/Patna: Bihar Energy Minister Shailesh Kumar invited domestic and international investors to partner with the state in developing its power sector, highlighting ongoing investments in renewable energy, energy storage, smart metering and grid infrastructure.
Speaking at the inaugural session of Bharat Electricity 2026 on the theme “Energy Sovereignty for a Climate-Resilient Viksit Bharat”, Kumar said Bihar was strengthening its electricity infrastructure to meet rising demand while improving reliability, affordability and energy security.
The minister also inaugurated the Bihar Power Pavilion at the event and inspected projects and technologies showcased there.
Smart Metering And Distribution Reforms
Kumar said Bihar has installed more than 94 lakh smart prepaid meters, making it one of the leading states in smart metering.
He said technology-led reforms had improved consumption visibility, billing transparency and energy accounting. According to the minister, aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses have fallen from around 59-60% to 11.54%.
Bihar has also recorded a peak electricity demand of 9,475 MW. Kumar said demand is expected to rise further, reaching around 19,033 MW by financial year 2037, driven by population growth, urbanisation, industrial activity and increasing electricity consumption.
Rooftop Solar For BPL Households
The minister said Bihar plans to provide free 1.1 kW rooftop solar systems to 2.5 lakh eligible below-poverty-line (BPL) households in the coming months.
The initiative, he said, would help households generate part of their own electricity and contribute to the state’s broader clean-energy transition.
Pumped Storage And Battery Projects
The Bihar Power Pavilion showcased several proposed and ongoing initiatives focused on renewable energy and energy storage.
These included a proposed 1,200 MW/7,308 MWh pumped storage plant in Nawada and a solar-plus-storage project at Kajra in Lakhisarai, comprising 301 MW of AC solar photovoltaic capacity supported by a 523 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS).
The pavilion also highlighted advanced smart-metering systems, including 4G-enabled remote monitoring, bi-directional net metering and real-time consumption tracking.
Bihar is also engaging with national power-sector institutions to examine long-term nuclear energy options as part of a diversified approach to future energy security.
Focus On Climate Resilience
Kumar said Bihar’s electricity infrastructure must be designed to withstand extreme weather events, including floods, droughts and storms.
He said combining renewable generation with pumped storage, BESS and digital technologies would help the state manage peak demand and improve grid flexibility and reliability.
Investment Pitch
Calling for greater private-sector participation, Kumar said Bihar was undergoing transformation across sectors and urged investors to view the state as a long-term partner.
“Come to Bihar, not merely as investors, but as our partners. We will provide support, facilities and an enabling environment for growth,” he said.
Kumar said Bihar’s energy strategy was aimed at creating a clean, reliable, affordable and resilient electricity system while contributing to India’s broader goal of energy sovereignty and a developed economy.
The event was attended by policymakers, industry representatives and energy-sector experts, including Delhi minister Ashish Sood, Central Electricity Authority chairperson Ghanshyam Prasad, Ministry of Power additional secretary D Sai Baba and Bihar State Power Generation Company Limited managing director Vishal Raj.
