Patna: Bihar’s power sector achieved a historic milestone on Saturday by successfully meeting an all-time high peak electricity demand of 9,350 MW.Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited (BSPHCL) said the record load was registered at 8.28pm on Saturday and was managed seamlessly across rural and urban networks through uninterrupted, quality power supply.Officials in the energy department said the surge reflects Bihar’s rapid economic transformation and has been driven by three key factors: an intense summer heatwave that sharply increased cooling demand, near-universal household electrification achieved through welfare schemes, and expanding agricultural irrigation, commercial activity and industrial growth.The latest peak highlights the scale of the state’s transformation. In 2005, Bihar’s peak electricity demand stood at just 700 MW amid severe infrastructure constraints. By 2016, systematic renovation and capacity expansion had pushed the demand beyond 2,500 MW. Over the past decade, growth accelerated further, with the peak rising from 8,428 MW in 2025 to 9,350 MW on Saturday.Energy minister Shailesh Kumar, popularly known as Bulo Mandal, described the achievement as evidence of Bihar’s rapid and inclusive development. He said the state is setting new benchmarks in India’s power sector.BSPHCL said that, unlike earlier decades marked by chronic power outages, the modernised grid handled the record demand without disruption. Energy secretary Ajay Yadav said Bihar has consistently managed successive record peaks through technology-driven grid management, enhanced system capacity and real-time monitoring. He added that the consumer grievance redressal system has also been strengthened to provide faster and more efficient services to electricity consumers across the state.Alongside conventional thermal power, Bihar is also expanding its green energy initiatives. Around 20,000 households are using rooftop solar systems under subsidy schemes, helping reduce pressure on the grid. Energy planners are continuing to modernise the distribution network to ensure it remains resilient as electricity consumption rises alongside Bihar’s economic growth and expanding access to power.
