Solar Power Very Much on the Agenda for Bihar: Nitish Kumar

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has said that due emphasis will be paid on solar power in the state and that panels are already being installed on government buildings

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has said that due emphasis will be paid on solar power in the state and that solar panels are already being installed on government buildings and PV plants being developed at two locations.

The announcement was made over the weekend when the chief minister launched around 35,000 schemes worth over Rs 1,600 crore, as part of his ambitions ‘Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali’ campaign that seeks to boost green cover and the water table in the state.

Foundation stones were laid for 32,781 schemes worth Rs 1,359.27 crore, while another 2,391 schemes involving an expenditure of Rs 291.27 crore were inaugurated by Kumar at a function organised at the Samrat Ashok Convention Centre.

In his speech, the minister said that “due emphasis would be laid on solar power, which is the only sustainable form of energy. To give it a boost, solar panels are being installed at government buildings. Solar power plants are also being set up at Lakhisarai and Bhagalpur.”

In June, we had reported that in a bid to promote renewable sources of energy, Kumar on June 12 had issued a directive for the installation of solar plates on all government buildings and offices in the state from this year. Chairing a meeting to review presentations on various schemes of the energy department, the CM said there is a need to spread awareness among people to install solar plates on ponds as well as wetlands.

As one of India’s poorest states, Bihar has traditionally been one of the slow-movers in embracing large-scale solar. The state has just 10 projects with a combined capacity of 100 MW. With tens of millions of locals without access to power, solar has more often come in the form of decentralised and off-grid systems in Bihar. However, in June, the Bihar Renewable Energy Development Agency (BREDA) had issued a tender for 250 MW of grid-connected solar projects in the state.

Furthermore the minister informed that under the Rs 1600 crore new “Jal-Jeevan-Haryali” campaign there are 11 components that include collection and purification of surplus water in the Ganges during the rainy season, which would help ensure availability of drinking water around the year to areas like Gaya, Nawada and Rajgir, places known to receive scanty rainfall.