New Delhi: The Regional Power Ministers’ Conference (Eastern Region), held in Patna on June 24 under the chairmanship of Union Power Minister Shri Manohar Lal, became a significant platform for intergovernmental collaboration and dialogue on India's energy future. With participation from senior Union officials, state ministers, and power sector leadership, the conference highlighted the urgent need for strategic reforms to ensure uninterrupted, affordable, and sustainable power for all.

In his keynote address, Shri Manohar Lal emphasized the importance of ensuring resource adequacy through long-term power generation tie-ups, reducing power purchase costs, and strengthening intra-state transmission infrastructure. He also urged states to take advantage of the Centre’s 50-year interest-free loan facility announced in Budget 2025–26 to support infrastructure development.

The conference witnessed the presence of key dignitaries, including Minister of State for Power and Renewable Energy Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Bihar Energy Minister Shri Bijendra Prasad Yadav, and Jharkhand Urban Development Minister Shri Sudivya Kumar.

Bihar's Strong Pitch for Energy Leadership

Bihar made a strong impression at the conference by presenting a forward-looking, reform-driven vision for its power sector. Key highlights of the state’s presentation included:

•    80% progress in Smart Prepaid Metering under RDSS, making Bihar a frontrunner at the national level.
•    Request for Viability Gap Funding for a 2000 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
•    Proposal for approval of a ₹617.73 crore SCADA DPR to enable real-time substation monitoring across urban and rural areas.
•    Demand for timely allocation of Bhutan hydro share and improved access to central hydropower projects.
•    Offer to host one of India's five indigenously developed Small Modular Reactors.
•    Proposal to Islanding of Patna city via Nabinagar power station to ensure uninterrupted emergency power supply.
•    Acceleration of Pumped Storage Projects and enhanced system metering with REC funding.
Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal commended Bihar’s performance, especially the reduction in AT&C losses and the rapid implementation of smart metering—marking a visible improvement in governance and service delivery.

Looking Ahead: Regional Synergy for National Goals

The Union Minister reiterated that India met a record peak power demand of 250 GW in May 2024, with the figure expected to rise to 270 GW later this year. He underscored the vision of ‘Power for All, at All Times’, calling for proactive planning, enhanced cybersecurity, and an increased focus on renewable energy with integrated storage systems.
He also urged states to:
•    Ensure smart meter saturation, especially in government, commercial, and high-load consumer segments by end of 2025
•    Develop Power Islanding Schemes to improve emergency preparedness
•    Actively pursue nuclear energy expansion, aligning with the national target of 100 GW by 2047

As India marches toward the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, Bihar’s proactive participation and policy innovation at this conference signal its emerging leadership role in the region—and a model for how states can effectively align with national priorities to ensure a robust and resilient power sector.

BI Bureau