Empowering Bihar's Farmers: Nitish Kumar Govt's Solar Energy Initiatives Set To Boost Agricultural Efficiency

Farmers in Bihar are set to benefit from a new initiative where electricity for agricultural purposes will be sourced from solar energy. This shift aims to replace the current thermal energy sources, which are costly. The Bihar government plans to energise feeders with a 1200 MW solar power plant as part of this scheme's third phase.

Currently, farmers receive electricity from dedicated feeders powered by thermal plants. This electricity is expensive, prompting the government to explore renewable alternatives. Solar energy will provide daytime electricity, reducing the need for nighttime irrigation efforts. The tender for this phase has been released and will soon be publicised in newspapers.

Solar Energy Initiative

The Chief Minister, Shri Nitish Kumar, has emphasised the importance of renewable energy and included it in the Jal Jeevan Hariyali Yojana's action plans since 2019. The Energy Department is actively working on implementing these plans. By June this year, all farmers will have access to electricity from dedicated feeders for irrigation and other agricultural tasks.

The state requires around three thousand feeders; two and a half thousand are already operational. The remaining feeders are expected to be ready by June. Additionally, 2 lakh 85 thousand farmers who have applied but not yet received connections will get them by June 2025, following special instructions from the Chief Minister.

Progress and Future Plans

So far, 5 lakh 55 thousand farmers have received connections under the Chief Minister Agricultural Pump Vidyut Connection Scheme. The remaining farmers will receive connections by year-end. Currently, the government provides an annual subsidy of Rs 3970 crore on electricity rates.

The state's total electricity consumption is 8 thousand MW, with 1150 MW allocated for irrigation purposes. Electricity purchased at Rs 6.74 paise per unit is supplied to farmers at Rs 0.55 per unit due to subsidies.

Phase Developments

In the first phase, 1235 dedicated feeders were established across 843 power substations. A tender was issued for selecting an 800 MW developer. After approval from the Exchange Commission, agreements were made with three agencies to develop solarisation projects for eight feeders across six substations.

The second phase involves energising 3681 feeders through a 1600 MW Shaurya Energy Plant. So far, solar projects totalling 180 MW have been initiated in the state, including floating solar projects in Darbhanga and Supaul.

Solar Projects Expansion

A floating solar project is underway in Phulwaria, Rajauli. Under the Grid Connected Rooftop Scheme, a total of 91 MW solar rooftop power plants have been installed on government buildings' roofs and another 18.43 MW on private buildings' roofs.

The Chief Minister Solar Street Light Scheme has seen solar street lights installed across all state panchayats. Farmers benefit from over a 92 percent subsidy on electricity bills, making it over ten times cheaper than diesel.

This initiative not only offers free electricity connections but also ensures uninterrupted quality power supply to promote rapid agricultural industrialisation in the state.