Patna: Renewable energy projects entailing investments of nearly Rs 1.35 lakh crore are currently under implementation in Bihar, a high-level Centre-state review meeting was informed on Thursday, even as Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary pitched a new "Solar Didi" initiative to encourage greater participation of women in rural areas in the state's rooftop solar drive.
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The meeting was attended by Choudhary and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi. It reviewed the implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, PM-KUSUM, Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA), floating solar projects, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), the Green Energy Corridor, small hydro power projects, solarisation of government buildings and other renewable energy initiatives.
"Bihar is making rapid progress in the renewable energy sector, and the Government of India is committed to extending every possible support," Joshi said.
Choudhary suggested introducing a "Solar Didi" initiative, on the lines of the Surya Mitra programme, to encourage greater participation of women in rural areas while promoting awareness about rooftop solar adoption. He also stressed the need for the timely implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, PM-KUSUM and other schemes, directing the department to work on a mission mode, and emphasised public awareness campaigns, banking coordination and regular district-level monitoring to maximise benefits for consumers.
Bihar Energy Secretary and Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited (BSPHCL) Chairman-cum-Managing Director Ajay Yadav made a presentation on the progress, achievements, ongoing initiatives and future roadmap of renewable energy projects in the state.
Appreciating Bihar's ULA model, Joshi advised the state government to expedite the approved project. He said that if satisfactory progress was achieved in the first phase involving about 1.25 lakh rooftop solar installations, the proposal to extend approval for an additional 2.50 lakh consumers would be considered on priority.
Reviewing the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, the meeting was informed that under the ULA model, the Central government had approved rooftop solar installations for 2.50 lakh Kutir Jyoti consumers. A proposal had also been submitted to the Centre to expand the scheme to benefit nearly 10 lakh consumers. Under the RESCO model, rooftop solar systems would be installed without any upfront cost to consumers.
Joshi directed officials to ensure timely implementation across all districts, increase the participation of empanelled vendors and strengthen public awareness campaigns, and to expedite the development of model solar villages and the solarisation of government buildings.
During the review of PM-KUSUM, special emphasis was laid on the solarisation of agricultural feeders and promoting clean energy in the farm sector. The meeting observed that effective implementation of schemes such as PM Surya Ghar and PM-KUSUM would reduce the state government's electricity subsidy burden, promote clean energy in agriculture and, in the long run, enable the supply of competitively priced electricity to industries.
Joshi said adequate resources were available under various central schemes and assured that Bihar would receive all necessary financial and technical assistance if projects were implemented efficiently and within stipulated timelines. He noted that approvals under various schemes were being granted on a "First Come, First Serve" basis and urged Bihar to move swiftly to maximise the available opportunities.
The Union Minister also encouraged Bihar to pursue emerging initiatives such as floating solar projects, BESS, small hydro power projects and the Green Energy Corridor, advising the state to prepare project proposals in time and expedite processes to leverage central assistance.
Energy Minister Shailesh Kumar alias Bulo Mandal said the state government, with the Centre's support, was rapidly advancing renewable energy initiatives and was committed to fully utilising Bihar's potential.
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MNRE Secretary Santosh Kumar Sarangi, who attended the meeting virtually, said Bihar possessed immense potential for renewable energy development and that the Centre would continue to provide all possible technical, policy and financial support. Senior officials from MNRE and the state Energy Department also attended.
