Union Govt, Bihar agree to accelerate PM Surya Ghar scheme

A high-level review meeting on the progress of the renewable energy sector in Bihar, future action plans, and the effective and time-bound implementation of various renewable energy initiatives was held on Thursday in the presence of Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi.

The meeting extensively 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), Green Energy Corridor, Small Hydro Power Projects, Solarisation of Government Buildings, and other renewable energy initiatives.

During the meeting, Ajay Yadav, IAS, Energy Secretary, Government of Bihar and Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited (BSPHCL), made a detailed presentation highlighting the progress, achievements, ongoing initiatives, and future roadmap of renewable energy projects in the State.

Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, assured that the Government of India would continue to provide all possible technical, policy, and financial support for expanding renewable energy projects in the State.

Appreciating Bihar’s innovative Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) model, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi advised the State Government to expedite the implementation of the approved project. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary emphasised the need for the timely and effective implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, PM-KUSUM, and other renewable energy schemes, directing the department to work in mission mode.

Chief Minister also suggested introducing a “Solar Didi” initiative, on the lines of the successful Surya Mitra programme, to encourage greater participation of women in rural areas while promoting awareness about rooftop solar adoption.

Bihar Energy Minister Shailesh Kumar alias Bulo Mandal stated that the Government of Bihar, with the support of the Government of India, is rapidly advancing renewable energy initiatives and is committed to fully utilising the State’s immense renewable energy potential.

Other dignitaries present included Deepak Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister; Pratyaya Amrit, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar; Anupam Kumar, IAS, Joint Secretary, MNRE; Sanjay Kumar Singh, IAS, Secretary to the Chief Minister; Rahul Kumar, IAS, Managing Director, North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (NBPDCL); Dr Nawal Kishor Choudhary, IAS, Managing Director, Bihar State Power Transmission Company Limited (BSPTCL); Saurabh Jorwal, IAS, Managing Director, South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (SBPDCL); Shri Vishal Raj, IAS, Managing Director, Bihar State Power Generation Company Limited (BSPGCL), along with senior officials from MNRE and the Energy Department.