Bihar Minister Calls for Investment at 19th Environment & Energy Summit

At the 19th Environment and Energy Conference in New Delhi on September 10, Bihar Energy Minister Shailesh Kumar, known locally as Bulo Mandal, addressed a gathering of global energy experts and diplomats. Bihar participated as a "State Partner" and used the platform to showcase its power sector achievements.

Kumar’s speech, themed “Every Household Electrified: Bihar’s Rural Power Story,” stressed that securing energy supplies is essential for an autonomous India facing a volatile geopolitical landscape. He highlighted Bihar’s transition from chronic power deficits to universal 24‑hour electricity coverage across rural and urban zones.

The minister detailed massive state investments in power generation, grid expansion, sub‑station upgrades and transmission line extensions, which have lifted the state’s peak demand capability to 9,475 MW. Continuous infrastructure reinforcement is underway to sustain this capacity.

In the renewable arena, Bihar has set an ambitious goal: by October 2026, 250,000 Below Poverty Line families will receive 1 kW rooftop solar installations, with plans to replicate the scheme for another 250,000 beneficiaries. The solarisation of 2,560 agricultural feeder stations is also progressing swiftly, with roughly 2,200 already converted, delivering cost‑effective and reliable power to farmers.

Kumar appealed to investors and industry stakeholders, promising full cooperation from the state government for upcoming projects. The event featured senior officials from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, International Solar Alliance, NTPC and JSW Energy, as well as international delegates from Bangladesh, Norway and Denmark.