How Bihar is turning public infra into clean energy

Patna: Bihar’s solar journey is no longer confined to household rooftops. Across the state, govt buildings, irrigation networks, reservoirs and public infrastructure are being transformed into sources of clean energy, marking a decisive shift away from fossil fuel dependence.At the heart of this transition is the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali mission, under which the Bihar Renewable Energy Development Agency (Breda) has already solarised more than 12,800 govt buildings. Through the first two phases of its grid-connected rooftop programme, the state has created nearly 115 MW of decentralised solar capacity, reducing the burden on the conventional thermal power grid while lowering electricity costs for public institutions.More importantly, the initiative has evolved from a project into policy. Solar infrastructure is now mandatory for all new govt buildings, embedding renewable energy into Bihar’s future development model. The first two phases involved an investment of around Rs 575 crore.The next stage promises to be even more ambitious. According to Rahul Kumar, director of Breda and managing director of NBPDCL, the state aims to install 500 MW of rooftop solar capacity on govt buildings through the Renewable Energy Service Company (Resco) model.

The objective is clear – achieve near-complete solar coverage of public infrastructure within the next five years and establish a strong foundation for Bihar’s clean-energy ambitions by 2030.The scale of progress is already visible. Patna leads the state with 1,701 solarised govt buildings, followed by Purnia with 1,635 and Rohtas with 1,056. Together, they illustrate how public infrastructure is becoming a key driver of Bihar’s renewable energy transition.Yet Bihar’s solar strategy extends far beyond rooftops. Unlike states such as Rajasthan and Gujarat, Bihar faces a unique challenge — the scarcity of large tracts of barren land suitable for utility-scale solar projects. As a result, the state has adopted a diversified approach, identifying suitable pockets in districts such as Aurangabad, Banka, Jamui and Gaya for large ground-mounted installations.A major milestone is the proposed 150 MW solar park in Aurangabad.

Spread across 500 acres and estimated to cost around Rs 1,000 crore, the project will incorporate battery storage capable of retaining up to 20% of generated power, helping address the intermittent nature of solar energy.At the same time, the flagship Kajra solar project in Lakhisarai has entered operational mode. The first phase, commissioned in Feb 2026, has already added 185 MW of solar capacity supported by battery storage.

A second phase, scheduled for completion by Jan 2027, will further strengthen the project and enhance storage capabilities.Recognising the limitations of land availability, Bihar is also harnessing its water resources. A 10 MW floating solar project on Phulwariya Dam in Nawada is nearing completion, building on earlier floating installations in Darbhanga and Supaul. Such projects maximise energy generation without competing for agricultural land.The state is simultaneously investing in long-term energy storage. Two pumped storage projects proposed in Nawada, with a combined capacity of 2,120 MW and an estimated cost of Rs 12,000 crore, are currently under survey.Alongside these efforts, Bihar is advancing feeder-level solarisation under the PM-KUSUM scheme. With power purchase agreements already signed for 456 MW across 175 solar plants, the initiative aims to shift agricultural irrigation systems towards dedicated solar power.Together, these projects reveal a larger vision. Bihar is not merely adding renewable energy capacity; it is redesigning its energy architecture. By combining rooftop solar, utility-scale projects, floating plants, battery storage and agricultural solarisation, the state is building a diversified and resilient clean-energy ecosystem capable of powering sustainable growth for decades to come.