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Bihar Presents Its Energy Development Model at India Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026; Plans Major Investments in Solar Energy, Battery Storage and Manufacturing over the Next Five Years
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Three Important Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) Signed to Promote Renewable Energy, Technical Collaboration, Skill Development and Expansion of Clean Energy
New Delhi/Patna: Bihar is steadily emerging as a major investment destination in the renewable energy sector. The state government is committed to extending all possible support to investors. On Wednesday, at the special Bihar State Plenary Session organised during the India Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, Bihar showcased its achievements in the power sector and presented the vast investment opportunities available in renewable energy before national and international stakeholders.
Addressing investors and representatives of the industry, Hon’ble Energy Minister, Government of Bihar, Shri Shailesh Kumar alias Bulo Mandal, invited them to invest in the state and said that Bihar offers immense potential for high growth and high returns. He assured that the state government would extend all possible support to investors.
He stated that Bihar’s electricity demand, which was around 700 MW in 2005, has now increased to approximately 10,000 MW. The state has successfully achieved the goal of ‘Har Ghar Bijli’, ensuring electricity connectivity to every household. The Energy Minister also highlighted that Bihar’s centuries-old tradition of Chhath Mahaparv and Sun worship establishes a strong cultural connection with solar energy. He reiterated the state government’s commitment to promoting renewable energy through initiatives such as PM-KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. He expressed confidence that Bihar would emerge among the leading states in the country in the renewable energy sector.
Highlighting the transformation of Bihar’s power sector and its future roadmap, Energy Secretary-cum-Chairman and Managing Director of Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited (BSPHCL), Shri Ajay Yadav (IAS), stated that electricity demand in the state is growing rapidly and is projected to reach approximately 25,000 MW over the next decade. He highlighted the 301 MW Kajra Solar Power Project, along with a 523 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), solarisation of government buildings and the state’s progressive policy initiatives.
Referring to the improved financial and operational performance of power companies, he informed that both North Bihar and South Bihar power distribution companies are operating in profit, while Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses are below the national average. The installation of nearly one crore smart meters and an almost 100 per cent collection efficiency are among the state’s significant achievements.
Highlighting the investment potential, he informed that projects worth approximately ₹78,400 crore are at various stages of implementation in Bihar. In addition, a comprehensive investment roadmap worth ₹2,57,316 crore has been prepared across various sectors, including power generation, transmission, distribution and infrastructure maintenance.
He further stated that under the Bihar Renewable Energy Policy 2025, the state has set a target of developing 24 GW of renewable energy capacity and 6 GWh of energy storage capacity by FY 2030. To facilitate these investments, the state government has introduced several policy initiatives, including the Pumped Storage Policy 2025, Renewable Energy Policy 2025, Green Hydrogen Policy 2026 and Industrial Investment Promotion Package 2025.
The programme was attended by Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India; Shri Anupam Kumar, Joint Secretary; Shri Ghanshyam Prasad of the Central Electricity Authority under the Ministry of Power; Shri Vishal Raj, Managing Director, BSPGCL; and Shri Vineet Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Avaada, along with other senior officials and industry representatives.
Three Important Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) Signed
During the summit, three important Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to strengthen the capabilities of Bihar’s power sector, promote research in renewable energy and enhance skill development.
The first MoU was signed between Bihar State Power Generation Company Limited (BSPGCL) and the Centre for Mission on Energy Transition (CMET), Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal. The agreement aims to facilitate collaboration in renewable energy planning and power system management.
The second was a tripartite MoU among the Power Sector Skill Council (PSSC), Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited (BSPHCL) and Bihar Power Training Management Society (BPTMS), Gaurichak, Patna. Its objective is to promote skill development, training and human resource efficiency in the power sector.
The third MoU was signed between Bihar State Power Generation Company Limited (BSPGCL) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to encourage technical collaboration and research in the power and renewable energy sectors.
Focus on Investment in Three Key Sectors over the Next Five Years
During the panel discussion on ‘Bihar’s Renewable Energy Future: Unlocking New Avenues for Investment and Growth’, Energy Secretary-cum-Chairman and Managing Director of BSPHCL, Shri Ajay Yadav (IAS), shared the state’s investment strategy.
He stated that significant investment opportunities exist in Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE), Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and renewable energy manufacturing over the next two to five years.
The state aims to develop approximately 5,000 MW of Distributed Renewable Energy capacity through various schemes. This includes 2,700 MW of solar power capacity under the PM-KUSUM scheme, 500 MW through the solarisation of government buildings and rooftop solar installations for approximately 15 lakh households under the PM Surya Ghar scheme. Solar power projects will also be developed on reservoirs and other suitable locations.
Shri Yadav further stated that the state plans to develop large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems, pumped storage projects and solar-plus-storage solutions. He also highlighted the proposed 150 MW Solar Park in Aurangabad.
The panel discussion featured Shri Sumit Verma, Head – Business Development and Strategy, Adani Green Energy Limited; Shri Tarun Katyal, CEO and Managing Director, Tata Power Trading Company Limited; Mr James Kolantharaj, Principal Energy Specialist, Asian Development Bank; and Dr Claudius da Costa Gomez, CEO, German Biogas Association.
The session was moderated by Ms Rashi Singh, Programme Lead, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW).
During the discussion, the panellists deliberated on Bihar’s renewable energy potential, investment opportunities, energy storage, green hydrogen and the development of a robust clean energy ecosystem.
The discussion also explored opportunities for private investment in Bihar, along with energy storage, technological innovation, manufacturing and the expansion of clean energy.
Bihar’s participation in the summit is being viewed as a significant initiative towards attracting green energy investments, generating employment opportunities and accelerating industrial development in the state.