Patna: In a major boost to Bihar’s power infrastructure, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal on Tuesday announced that the central government will assist the state in setting up its first nuclear power plant, along with a 1,000 MW battery energy storage system. The announcement was made following the Eastern Region Power Ministers’ Conference held in Patna.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Manohar Lal lauded Bihar’s efforts in revamping its power distribution network and implementing structural reforms in the energy sector. “The state has done tremendous work, especially in reducing Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses and installing 80 lakh smart meters, which is a remarkable achievement,” the minister said.
He revealed that Bihar had earlier requested both additional power allocation and the establishment of a nuclear power facility to address growing summer demand. “We have asked every state to consider setting up at least one nuclear power plant. The Centre will fully support Bihar in this endeavour,” Lal said, though he did not specify the location or capacity of the proposed plant.
Additionally, he confirmed that Bihar has received in-principle approval for a 1,000 MW battery storage unit, a significant step toward ensuring grid stability and boosting the integration of renewable energy sources. “This project will depend on renewable energy generation, but it has been cleared at the planning level,” he added.
Acknowledging Bihar’s progress, Lal said, “Bihar was once lagging in the power sector, but today, it is a model for distribution reform. From drastically lowering transmission losses to smart metering, the state has taken major strides.”
In response to Bihar’s demand, the Centre has approved an additional 500 MW power supply to the state for the next six months, a move expected to ease the strain during the high-demand summer season.
Highlighting cybersecurity as a growing concern in critical infrastructure, the Union Minister pointed to recent attempts to disrupt India’s power supply, especially during Operation Sindoor, the recent military engagement involving Iran and Israel. “Our systems stood strong. We must now adopt advanced cybersecurity and islanding strategies to ensure grid resilience,” he stated.
He emphasised the need for ‘islanding schemes’—a system where parts of the power grid can be isolated to prevent cascading failures in case of cyber or physical attacks.
Reflecting on India’s journey over the past decade, Lal said, “Ten years ago, in 2013-14, India suffered a 4.5% power deficit. Today, we are a power surplus nation and even export surplus electricity to neighbouring countries.”
The country’s peak power demand last year touched 250 GW, and though projections for this year estimate it may rise to 270 GW, so far the highest demand met stands at 242 GW, he noted.
The Patna meeting was attended by Union Minister of State for Power and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik, Bihar Energy Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, and Jharkhand’s Urban Development Minister Sudivya Kumar, among others.
Reiterating the Centre’s commitment, Lal assured all participating states of continued support to modernise and strengthen their power systems. “Our goal is clear—Power for All, At All Times. With coordinated efforts, we can ensure reliable, affordable, and clean energy across India,” he concluded.
The announcement of a nuclear power plant and large-scale battery storage marks a significant chapter in Bihar’s power sector transformation, promising energy security and sustainability for the years ahead.
Sorry, there was a YouTube error.
