Tourist Destinations In Bihar To Be Powered By Solar Energy

The State Energy Minister of Bihar, Bijendra Prasad Yadav has announced that the tourist destinations in Bihar, including Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, and some parts of Patna will be powered by solar energy under an agreement.

The announcement was made by the Minister on the occasion of the conclusion of ‘Ujjwal Bharat, Ujjwal Bhavishya-Bijli Mahotsav’, which was a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The occasion also saw the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The State Minister said that as a novel experiment, a deal has been negotiated to supply solar power to tourist destinations in Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, and some areas of Patna. “We are taking steps to increase our capacity for generation of green energy. In addition, a 200 to 250 MW solar power plant will be constructed in Kajra (Lakhisarai) and Pirpainty (Bhagalpur),” said Yadav.

Sanjeev Hans, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited (BSPHCL), stated, “Bihar is the first state to have a smart prepaid meter. Bihar till date has installed over 8 lakh smart prepaid meters in North.” He said that steps are being devised to reduce the state’s dependence on coal-based power plants.

The CMD said that Bihar is investing on a massive scale in power infrastructure, while adding that once the plant being built at Chausa in Buxar by SJVN Ltd is complete, Bihar will have ample electricity. The said plant by SJVN is scheduled to be completed by 2023-24. He further stated that Bihar would receive 85 per cent of the plant’s electricity

The Energy Minister recalled that in 2005, the electricity consumption in Bihar was 700 MW, which has rose to 6627 MW at present. “In 2002-06, the per capita power consumption was 70 units (KWh). It has now increased to 350 units (KWh). Average power supply in rural areas in 2005 was 5-6 hours and it is 18-22 hours now. The average power supply in urban areas was 10-12 hours. Now it is 22-24 hours,” said the Minister.