Patna: To explore investment opportunities in renewable energy in the state, Australian consul-general in Kolkata Hugh Boylan on Monday called on energy, planning and development minister, Bijendra Prasad Yadav, here on Monday.
Boylan, who is on a two-day visit to the state, engaged in extensive discussions with the minister, highlighting Australia’s interest in investing in the rapidly growing renewable energy sector in the state.
According to a recent central government survey, Bihar has the potential to generate 16,000 MW of non-conventional energy, with 11,200 MW and 3,650 MW from solar and wind energy, respectively.
During the meeting, Yadav provided an overview of the ongoing initiatives in the renewable energy sector, emphasising the state’s commitment to provide an investment friendly environment.
The minister also detailed the policies that make the state an attractive destination for foreign investment in renewable energy. Senior officials, including state’s energy secretary Pankaj Kumar Pal, who took the charge on Monday, South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited’s managing director Mahendra Kumar and North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited’s managing director Nilesh Deore were also present on this occasion.
“The consul-general expressed optimism about future collaborations, stating that Australian companies are expected to visit the state soon to explore potential investments in solar energy,” a power sector official present in the meeting told TOI.
During the meeting, Yadav said that the state is steadily advancing in the energy sector, with a focus on renewable energy alternatives to meet the growing power demand. He highlighted the state’s efforts to attract capital investment and welcomed Australia’s interest towards building partnership in this domain.
“Districts in north Bihar having rivers, canals and ponds, offer ideal locations for floating solar power plants. Two such plants have already been commissioned in Darbhanga and Supaul districts. In south Bihar, where several treeless hills exist, the state is exploring the potential for installing solar power plants there,” Yadav told the consul-general.
Energy secretary Pal emphasised the state’s commitment to promote non-conventional energy under the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Mission. He said that solar panels have been installed on over 3,500 govt buildings and there are plans to equip 9,000 more buildings with such facilities within the next two years. The state is rapidly installing solar street lights in all panchayats, he added.

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