Patna: The Regional Power Ministers’ Conference (Eastern Region), held in Patna under the chairmanship of Union Power Minister Manohar Lal, served as a new platform to work towards India’s energy future through reforms and working together across governments. The high-level meeting included senior Union officials, state listed ministers, and power sector professionals to discuss improving infrastructure in the country and guaranteeing seamless, affordable, sustainable electricity supply.
In his keynote address, Manohar Lal highlighted the critical importance of ensuring resource adequacy via long-term power generation agreements, reducing power purchase costs, and enhancing intra-state transmission networks. He urged states to capitalize on the Centre’s recently announced 50-year interest-free loan facility to boost power infrastructure development, underscoring the government’s commitment to empowering states financially.
Bihar’s Visionary Leadership in Power Sector Reforms
Bihar made a strong impression at the conference with its forward-thinking and reform-driven approach to power sector development. Presenting a comprehensive progress report, Bihar highlighted several key initiatives:
- Achieved 80% coverage of Smart Prepaid Metering under the RDSS scheme, positioning the state as a national leader in metering technology.
- Requested Viability Gap Funding for a 2,000 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to enhance grid stability.
- Proposed a ₹617.73 crore SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) project for real-time monitoring of substations across urban and rural areas.
- Demanded timely allocation of Bhutan hydroelectric power share and improved access to central hydropower projects.
- Offered to host one of India’s five indigenously developed Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
- Advocated for the islanding of Patna city via the Nabinagar power station to ensure uninterrupted emergency power supply.
- Emphasized the acceleration of Pumped Storage Projects and enhanced system metering with Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) funding.
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal lauded Bihar’s remarkable reduction in Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses and the swift rollout of smart meters, noting these as clear indicators of improved governance and service delivery in the state.
National Outlook and Regional Collaboration
The conference underscored India’s record peak power demand of 250 GW in May 2024, with expectations to reach 270 GW by year-end. Manohar Lal reiterated the government’s vision of “Power for All, at All Times” and stressed the need for proactive planning, enhanced cybersecurity measures, and a stronger push towards renewable energy complemented by integrated storage solutions.
He also called upon states to:
- Achieve smart meter saturation by end-2025, particularly for government, commercial, and high-load consumers.
- Develop Power Islanding Schemes to strengthen emergency preparedness.
- Actively pursue nuclear energy expansion to contribute towards the national target of 100 GW by 2047.
Bihar’s Emerging Role in India’s Power Future
Bihar’s active participation and policy innovation at the conference have positioned it as a regional leader in power sector reforms. The state’s alignment with national priorities exemplifies a model for other states striving to build a robust, resilient, and sustainable power infrastructure.
As India progresses toward the ambitious goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, Bihar’s power sector initiatives set a benchmark for effective governance and strategic development, fostering regional synergy and national growth.
