Patna, June 5, 2025 – On the occasion of World Environment Day, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the Bikram Canal-Side Solar Power Project, a 2 MW renewable energy initiative located in Patna district. The project has been developed along the Bikram Lock canal, utilizing idle government land along the canal bank — a first-of-its-kind model in the state that blends sustainability, innovation, and infrastructure.

 Project Overview

• Project Name: Bikram Canal-Side Solar Energy Project
• Capacity: 2 megawatts (MW)
• Location: Along the main canal near Bikram Lock, Patna district
• Land Use: Canal-side land belonging to the Water Resources Department
• Execution: Built under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model
• Operator: Private solar energy firm (selected via competitive bidding)
• Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): 25-year agreement at ₹3.10/unit – significantly cheaper than conventional power rates

 Environmental and Strategic Goals

• Green Energy Push: The solar plant is part of the state’s larger Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan, which promotes sustainable land and water resource use.
• Carbon Emission Reduction: Estimated to reduce 1,800 tons of CO₂ annually, contributing to India’s national climate goals.
• Utilization of Underused Land: Canal banks, often neglected, are being repurposed for solar installations, setting a replicable model across Bihar.
• Water Conservation: Solar panels provide partial shading over water bodies, which can reduce evaporation losses.

 Local Benefits

• Energy Access: Power generated will support rural electrification, agricultural pumping, and supply to nearby public utilities.
• Job Creation: Both during construction and operational phases, the project has generated local employment in Bikram block.
• Decentralized Power Supply: Reduces dependency on long-distance transmission, ensuring greater reliability for rural Bihar.

 What the CM Said

While inaugurating the project, CM Nitish Kumar emphasized:

“This canal-side solar initiative is a symbol of innovation and sustainability. It makes intelligent use of available land while helping Bihar become self-reliant in clean energy. We aim to replicate this model in other parts of the state, especially where canal and dam embankments are underutilized.”

He also reiterated that 100% household electrification has been achieved in the state, and the focus now shifts to clean, uninterrupted, and affordable electricity for all.

 Vision Ahead: Replication & Scaling

This project is seen as a pilot for more such canal-side and reservoir-top solar projects. The government is exploring:

• Floating solar plants on dam reservoirs
• Solar panels along railway and highway corridors
• Bundled solar-agriculture hybrid systems in rural zones

The Department of Energy and Bihar Renewable Energy Development Agency (BREDA) is preparing a roadmap to install over 500 MW of solar capacity on similar underused land banks in the next five years.

 Quick Snapshot

 Conclusion

The inauguration of the Bikram Solar Energy Project represents a defining moment in Bihar’s clean energy journey. It demonstrates a successful convergence of environmental policy, sustainable development, and smart infrastructure planning. As Bihar aims to expand its renewable portfolio, this project stands as a replicable model for clean energy innovation throughout India.