A meeting of Forum of Regulators of Eastern State (FORES) was organized on Saturday by Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC). In the meeting, Energy Department Secretary Pankaj Kumar Pal gave detailed information about the progress made in the electricity sector in Bihar. He was invited to make a presentation on the achievements made by Bihar in the energy sector.
Pankaj Kumar Pal said that Bihar has made great achievements in the field of energy in the last years. He told that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had a far-sighted vision for radical reforms in the Bihar electricity system. A road map has been prepared for it, which was implemented under the supervision of Energy Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav.
‘Transformers were installed in houses, streets and localities’
Energy Department Secretary said that the Chief Minister has decided to provide electricity to every village, every hamlet and also to provide electricity to ‘every house’ in the state. Its success became such an example for the entire country that the Central Government decided to implement Saubhagya Yojana on its basis. Expressing concern over the accidents caused by dilapidated wires, the Chief Minister laid the foundation of a reconducting scheme to replace it.
He said that in view of the increasing electricity demand in the state, plans were made to strengthen the distribution and transmission system. The number of grid devices increased from 45 to 168 in the last years. Similarly, there has been an unexpected increase in the length of transmission lines. A wide network of power sub-stations was created in the state. Transformers were installed in houses, streets and localities. Faulty transformers were replaced within 24 hours.
Electricity demand increased from 1 thousand to 8005 MW
Pal said that due to good distribution and transmission system, the maximum demand of electricity in the state increased from 1 thousand MW to 8005 MW. Similarly, energy consumption also increased by 70 units every year to 363 units. In his presentation, he also mentioned about farmers getting irrigation water at cheap rates.
He said that under the leadership of the Chief Minister, farmers of the state started getting irrigation water easily and at cheap rates. For this, agricultural connections are being given on a large scale under the Mukhyamantri Krishi Sambandh Yojana. 92 percent subsidy is being given in electricity rate for agriculture. Pal said that today the people of Bihar are getting electricity 22-24 hours.
Bihar’s power companies are becoming self-reliant – Pal
The Secretary of the Energy Department said that the Chief Minister has taken many initiatives in the state to promote solar energy, describing it as the main source of renewable energy. Floating solar energy, solar plants on the banks of canals and roof top solar projects are being set up in Bihar. A 185 MW solar plant is being set up in Kajra of Lakhisarai. In which the country’s largest battery solar system project is being installed.
Pal said that under the guidance of the Energy Minister, the power companies of the state are becoming self-reliant. Last year, distribution companies became profitable for the first time. This is an ideal achievement in the entire country. At the same time, the achievements of Bihar were discussed in detail in the meeting and the achievements were appreciated.
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BERC Chairman Amir Subhani, North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited Managing Director Dr Nilesh Devre, Sanjay Kumar Banga from Tata Power, Padam Mishra from PwC and others were present in the meeting. All ERC chairmen and members were also present.