Industry Minister Dilip Jaiswal
Jagran correspondent, Patna. Renewable energy has emerged as a long-term solution amid global challenges such as climate change, energy crisis and rising carbon emissions. Sunlight is available in India for most of the year. The possibilities of solar energy here are extremely wide. In this context, a one-day seminar on solar energy and storage was organized in collaboration with Bihar Industries Association (BIA) at the local Taj Hotel premises on Tuesday. The seminar was inaugurated by State Industries Minister Dr. Dilip Kumar Jaiswal.
Industry Minister Dr. Dilip Kumar Jaiswal said that Bihar is moving towards rapid industrial development. The top priority of the newly formed government is to create employment opportunities in the state. He said that the Chief Minister has given priority to employment, industry, agriculture and education under seven decisions-3, in which the second decision is prosperous industry, strong Bihar.
The Minister said that several high-level committees have been formed under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to speed up industrial development in the state. Their objective is to make Bihar the industrial center of Eastern India, develop world-class workplaces and encourage youth and entrepreneurs to set up industries. He said that a target of private investment of Rs 50 lakh crore has been set in Bihar in the next five years.
18 thousand MW electricity will be required by the year 2034-35
He said that to promote small industries, Directorate of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Bihar Marketing Promotion Corporation have been formed under the Industries Department for export and market expansion of local products. The state government is continuously making efforts to solve the problems of investors. Said that increase in energy demand with industrialization is natural.
According to estimates, Bihar will require about 18,000 MW of electricity by the year 2034–35. Given the limitations of conventional energy sources, adoption of renewable energy, especially solar energy, is the need of the hour.
Giving information about various incentives available under Bihar Industrial Investment Incentive Package – 2025 and Renewable Energy Policy, he said that many facilities including free industrial plots are being provided to attract large investments. The minister called upon investors to set up solar energy based industries in Bihar and assured all possible cooperation.
Demand for electricity increased with industry, agriculture, transportation and urbanization
On this occasion, Bihar Industries Association President Ramlal Khaitan said that with the expansion of industry, agriculture, transportation and urbanization, the demand for electricity is continuously increasing, the permanent solution for which is solar energy. He told that sufficient sunlight is available in Bihar for about 300 days of the year.
Referring to the State Government's Renewable Energy Policy-2024, he said that under this, solar power projects, rooftop solar, captive power plants and energy storage projects are being encouraged.
In two technical sessions held after the inaugural session, senior representatives of renowned companies of the country involved in construction and installation of solar power plants shared their views. Industry, energy sector, investors and experts participated in the seminar and had meaningful discussions on the future of solar energy and storage.