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State to roll out new solar policy in 15 days: Samrat
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Patna: Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary on Friday announced that the state govt will introduce a new policy on solar energy and pump power storage within the next 15 days. Speaking at the Renewable Energy Expo held at the Patna Planetarium, he said the policy would be designed to attract both private and public sector investment in the state's renewable energy sector.
Choudhary, who also holds the finance portfolio, made the announcement on behalf of CM Nitish Kumar. "Pump power storage and solar energy have been given special priority in the new policy," he said. Choudhary added that the govt is making continuous efforts to promote other forms of renewable energy, especially solar. He also revealed that the state currently provides an annual subsidy of Rs 15,000 crore to ensure affordable electricity for its residents.
Highlighting Bihar's progress in electrification, Choudhary said, "While only 17 lakh families had access to electricity two decades ago, the number has now grown to 2.14 crore families, who are receiving cheap and uninterrupted power." He credited CM Nitish Kumar and energy minister Bijendra Yadav for making electricity available in Bihar at the lowest rate in the country.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Kusum Yojana, the govt plans to expedite the connection of agricultural pumps to solar energy and the extension of grid-connected solar power to rural areas. The provision of solar-powered pumps to farmers and mini-grid-based electricity in remote regions is also under consideration.
Choudhary described the Renewable Energy Expo 2025, organised by the Bihar Industries Association, as not only a platform for technical exchange but also a key step towards shaping Bihar's future in sustainable development.
