- 1,200 MW Solar Power to Energize Feeders in the Third Phase of the Farmer Feeder Project
- 2,500 out of 3,000 dedicated agricultural feeders already constructed
- Remaining feeders and 285,000 farmers to receive benefits by June this year
Patna, March 1: The state government is ensuring a steady supply of electricity to farmers through dedicated agricultural feeders. Now, these feeders will be powered by solar and renewable energy. In the third phase of this initiative, 1,200 MW of electricity will be generated through solar power plants to energize these feeders. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has already emphasized the importance of solar energy as a sustainable resource and has integrated it into the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali (Water-Life-Greenery) mission, launched in 2019.
In line with this vision, the Energy Department has begun preparations to transition agricultural power supply from thermal plants to renewable energy sources. Currently, all electricity supplied to dedicated agricultural feeders comes from thermal power plants, making it expensive. The government is now seeking a cost-effective alternative through solar energy.
The government has decided to solarize agricultural feeders, ensuring that power is generated and supplied during the day through solar energy. This move will relieve farmers from the burden of late-night irrigation. The tender process for the third phase has been initiated, and the Information & Public Relations Department will soon publish details in leading newspapers.
Seamless Power Supply & Reduced Subsidy Burden
Energy Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav stated that shifting to solar energy will ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply to farmers while also reducing the state’s subsidy burden on power tariffs. Additionally, this move will significantly contribute to the growth of renewable energy in the state.
Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena highlighted that given the state’s increasing future energy demands, solarizing agricultural feeders will help tackle drought-like conditions efficiently. 112 companies have already participated in the bidding process for the second phase, making it a lucrative opportunity for long-term investors.
All Farmers to Benefit by June 2025
By June 2025, all remaining farmers in the state will receive dedicated feeder-based electricity for irrigation and other agricultural activities. Out of the 3,000 required feeders, 2,500 have already been built, with the remaining to be completed by June this year.
Additionally, 285,000 farmers who have applied for agricultural power connections but have yet to receive them will be connected by June 2025 under the Chief Minister’s special directive. The Electricity Department has already started working on this.
5.55 Lakh Farmers Already Connected
Under the Chief Minister Agricultural Pump Electricity Connection Scheme, 5.55 lakh farmers have already received electricity connections, with the remaining to be connected by the end of this year.
State Government Providing ₹3,970 Crore in Power Subsidies
The state’s total electricity consumption stands at 8,000 MW, out of which 1,150 MW is allocated to farmers for irrigation. Currently, this power is sourced from thermal power plants at ₹6.74 per unit but is supplied to farmers at a highly subsidized rate of ₹0.55 per unit, resulting in an annual subsidy burden of ₹3,970 crore for the state government.
Progress in Solarization of Agricultural Feeders
First Phase:
- 1,235 dedicated feeders established across 843 power substations
- Tender issued to select developers for 800 MW of solar power
- Regulatory approval granted for three agencies to install 17.85 MW of solar power across six substations
Second Phase:
- Tender issued for 3,681 feeders across 1,121 substations
- 1,600 MW of solar power to be generated
Current Solar Projects in Bihar:
- 180 MW of solar projects already operational
- Floating solar power plants installed in Darbhanga and Supaul
- Additional floating solar plants under development in Phulwaria and Rajauli
- 91 MW of rooftop solar panels installed on 9,821 government buildings
- 18.43 MW of rooftop solar panels installed on 5,182 private buildings
- Solar streetlights installed in all panchayats under the CM Solar Street Light Scheme
Solar Power: 10x Cheaper than Diesel
The state government provides over 92% subsidy on electricity bills for farmers, making solar power ten times cheaper than diesel-powered irrigation. With uninterrupted and high-quality power supply, agricultural industrialization is also accelerating. Over 5.6 lakh farmers in the state are already benefiting from subsidized solar electricity.
This transition to solar-powered agricultural feeders is a significant step towards energy sustainability, ensuring cost-effective, reliable, and eco-friendly power for farmers across Bihar.
