Patna: Bihar’s energy minister, Bijendra Prasad Yadav, has inspected a large solar power and battery storage project in Lakhisarai district, calling for faster progress on its second phase and greater use of emerging renewable technologies, including floating solar systems.
The Kajra Solar Power-cum-Battery Energy Storage Project has a planned capacity of 301MW of solar generation alongside a 523MWh battery energy storage system, making it one of the largest integrated renewable energy installations in the state.
Officials said the first phase—comprising 185MW of solar capacity and 282MWh of battery storage—was commissioned on February 26, 2026. Work on the second phase, which will add 116MW of solar capacity and 241MWh of storage, is currently under way.
Once fully operational, the project is expected to improve electricity supply during peak demand and enhance grid stability through stored power that can be supplied for up to four hours after sunset.
During the visit, the minister was accompanied by senior officials from the Bihar State Power Generation Company Limited (BSPGCL), including its managing director Mahendra Kumar and technical director Awadhesh Kumar Singh, along with district administration officials and representatives of Larsen & Toubro, which is involved in the project’s execution.
After inspecting the site, Yadav participated in a tree plantation drive and later chaired a review meeting with officials and engineers, where he assessed progress, quality control and timelines. He directed that phase two be expedited, describing the project as a key milestone in Bihar’s renewable energy expansion.
Officials also demonstrated the battery energy storage system on site, which they said is among the largest of its kind in the country.
The minister urged planners to explore additional renewable energy capacity in the hilly terrain around Kajra and called for feasibility studies. L&T representatives assured the government that a detailed report on potential projects would be submitted soon.
Yadav also emphasised the need to adopt advanced technologies in future renewable energy projects, encouraging officials to track global developments in the sector.
Separately, he highlighted the potential for floating solar installations and raised structures over ponds and other water bodies in north Bihar, directing departments to examine practical deployment options.
The Kajra project is part of Bihar’s broader push to expand clean energy capacity and strengthen long-term energy security.
