Patna: With peak power demand projected to touch 11,747 MW by 2030, Bihar is planning investments of around Rs 1.88 lakh crore in generation, storage, transmission, distribution and renewable energy. The state is also targeting 24 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2029-30.Energy secretary and BSPHCL chairman-cum-managing director Ajay Yadav shared the details at an India Energy Week (IEW) 2027 awareness programme at IIT-Patna, where Bihar showcased its energy-sector opportunities to investors and industry stakeholders.Yadav said the state was focusing on smart metering, energy efficiency, electric mobility, rooftop solar and clean energy as part of efforts to build a secure and sustainable energy system. Bihar’s peak power demand currently stands at around 9,475 MW and is projected to reach 11,747 MW by 2030.Of the proposed investment, around Rs1,32,521crore is planned for power generation and energy storage projects. Under its Renewable Energy Policy 2025, Bihar has set a target of developing 24 GW of renewable energy capacity and 6.1 GWh of energy storage capacity by 2029-30.Green hydrogen is another focus area. The state cabinet has approved Bihar’s Green Hydrogen Policy, with around Rs1,040crore earmarked for developing a green hydrogen ecosystem. Five green hydrogen villages will be developed on a pilot basis to promote its use for clean cooking and power generation, with each selected village to receive an incentive of Rs1crore.Around 8,400 MW of pumped storage capacity is planned in Nawada, Jamui, Banka and Munger under the Pumped Storage Project Policy 2025. The state has around 2.32 crore electricity consumers, while maximum power demand has risen from about 2,831 MW in 2014 to nearly 9,475 MW.To strengthen the transmission network, around Rs24,683crore has been proposed for 56 new substations and nearly 7,400 circuit km of transmission lines. Another Rs28,809crore is planned for expansion and modernisation of the distribution network, while Rs2,370crore has been proposed for maintenance and digital infrastructure.The investment pipeline also includes a 1,100 MW rooftop solar programme for around 10 lakh Kutir Jyoti consumers, 500 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar on govt buildings, a 150 MW battery-backed solar park in Aurangabad and a proposed 4×700 MW nuclear power project in Banka.
