Australia shows interest in investing in renewable energy sector in Bihar – Times of India
PATNA: To explore investment opportunities in Bihar’s renewable energy sector, Australian Consul-General in Kolkata Hugh Boylan on Monday called on state’s energy, planning & development minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav at Vidyut Bhawan here.
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 Bihar.
According to a recent central government survey, Bihar has the potential to generate 16,000 MW of non-conventional energy, with 11,200 MW from solar energy and 3,650 MW from wind energy.
During the meeting, Yadav provided an overview of the ongoing initiatives in Bihar’s renewable energy sector, emphasizing the state’s commitment to fostering an investment-friendly environment.
The minister also detailed the policies in place that make Bihar an attractive destination for foreign investment in renewable energy. Senior officials, including state’s energy secretary Pankaj Kumar Pal, the South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited’s managing director Mahendra Kumar and the North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited’s managing director Nilesh Deore were also present.
“The Consul-General expressed optimism about future collaborations, noting that Australian companies are expected to visit Bihar soon to explore potential investments in solar energy,” a power sector official present at the meeting told TOI on Monday.
During their meeting, Yadav said that Bihar is steadily advancing in the energy sector, with a significant focus on renewable energy alternatives to meet the state’s growing demand. He highlighted the state’s efforts to attract capital investment and noted that Australia’s interest is a positive step towards a practical partnership in this domain.
“Many districts in north Bihar, with its numerous 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,” Yadav told the Consul-General.
Energy Secretary Pal emphasized the state’s commitment to promoting non-conventional energy under the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Mission. He noted that solar panels have been installed on over 3,500 government buildings, with plans to equip 9,000 more buildings within the next two years. Bihar is rapidly installing solar streetlights in all panchayats, he said.
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 Bihar.
According to a recent central government survey, Bihar has the potential to generate 16,000 MW of non-conventional energy, with 11,200 MW from solar energy and 3,650 MW from wind energy.
During the meeting, Yadav provided an overview of the ongoing initiatives in Bihar’s renewable energy sector, emphasizing the state’s commitment to fostering an investment-friendly environment.
The minister also detailed the policies in place that make Bihar an attractive destination for foreign investment in renewable energy. Senior officials, including state’s energy secretary Pankaj Kumar Pal, the South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited’s managing director Mahendra Kumar and the North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited’s managing director Nilesh Deore were also present.
“The Consul-General expressed optimism about future collaborations, noting that Australian companies are expected to visit Bihar soon to explore potential investments in solar energy,” a power sector official present at the meeting told TOI on Monday.
During their meeting, Yadav said that Bihar is steadily advancing in the energy sector, with a significant focus on renewable energy alternatives to meet the state’s growing demand. He highlighted the state’s efforts to attract capital investment and noted that Australia’s interest is a positive step towards a practical partnership in this domain.
“Many districts in north Bihar, with its numerous 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,” Yadav told the Consul-General.
Energy Secretary Pal emphasized the state’s commitment to promoting non-conventional energy under the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Mission. He noted that solar panels have been installed on over 3,500 government buildings, with plans to equip 9,000 more buildings within the next two years. Bihar is rapidly installing solar streetlights in all panchayats, he said.
