The first phase comprises a 200 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) that stores surplus renewable energy generated during the day and discharges it during peak demand hours, enabling the supply of clean power during nighttime. The project has been developed with a modular architecture that offers operational flexibility, scalability and rapid response capabilities, while strengthening grid stability and supporting higher integration of renewable energy.

The Bikaner project powers one of the world’s first time block Round the Clock (RTC) renewable power arrangements for industrial consumers, demonstrating how battery storage can transform intermittent renewable energy into dependable, 24×7 clean power. The commissioning marks an important milestone in Serentica’s vision of delivering firm, dispatchable renewable energy solutions that enable industries to decarbonize without compromising operational reliability.

Akshay Hiranandani, CEO, Serentica Renewables, said, “Battery Energy Storage Systems will play a defining role in the next phase of India’s clean energy transition by making renewable energy available whenever it is needed. The commissioning of Phase 1 of our 1 GWh BESS is a significant milestone in our journey to deliver reliable, round the clock renewable energy for India’s industrial sector. By integrating advanced storage with renewable generation, we are creating a future ready energy ecosystem that combines sustainability, reliability and flexibility for our customers.”

The commissioning of the Bikaner BESS marks the first step in Serentica’s broader energy storage strategy. With a planned 7 GWh battery order pipeline over the next two years, the company is building one of India’s largest battery storage portfolios for the C&I segment, reinforcing its commitment to delivering reliable, sustainable and round-the-clock clean energy solutions at scale.

State Unveils ₹1.40 Lakh Crore Investment Roadmap to Accelerate Clean Energy, Grid Modernisation and Sustainable Growth

New Delhi, August 6: Reinforcing its emergence as one of India’s fastest transforming power sectors, the Government of Bihar today showcased its remarkable journey of reforms, infrastructure expansion and clean energy transition during the 7th CII International Energy Conference & Exhibition (IECE 2026) in New Delhi.

The Bihar delegation was led by Hon’ble Energy Minister, Government of Bihar, Shri Shailesh Kumar alias Bulo Mandal, along with Shri Ajay Yadav, IAS, Energy Secretary, Government of Bihar & Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD), Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited (BSPHCL). The delegation also included Shri Rahul Kumar, IAS, Managing Director, North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (NBPDCL) and Dr. Naval Kishore Chaudhary, IAS, Managing Director, Bihar State Power Transmission Company Limited (BSPTCL).

Besides, Shri Jitendra Srivastava (CMD, REC Limited), Shri Vineet Mittal, Founder & Chairman, Avaada Group, Shri Ravindra Kumar (Director–Projects, NTPC Limited), and Shri Gaurav Shah (Chairman, CII Bihar State Council) also participated in a special Bihar Session. They lauded Bihar’s remarkable transformation in the power sector, progressive policy ecosystem and investor-friendly governance. Appreciating the State’s focus on clean energy, infrastructure development and ease of doing business, they expressed strong optimism about Bihar’s growth trajectory and conveyed their willingness to explore investment opportunities and long-term partnerships across renewable energy, transmission, power infrastructure and emerging clean energy technologies.

Earlier in the day, Hon’ble Energy Minister Shri Shailesh Kumar participated in the State Ministers: Energy Transition – A State Perspective session on the theme “Transitioning with Energy Security – The New Global Order.” The session brought together Energy Ministers from various States, policymakers, industry leaders, investors and key stakeholders to deliberate on India’s clean energy transition, energy security and the evolving global energy landscape. Later, Bihar showcased its investment-led energy transformation during the Special Session titled “Powering Bihar: Investment, Innovation & Growth,” where the State presented its future-ready roadmap for sustainable growth and investment.

Hon’ble Energy Minister Shri Shailesh Kumar said:
“There was a time when the arrival of electricity itself made headlines in Bihar. Today, every household in the State has access to electricity, marking a historic transformation in Bihar’s development journey. We are now moving beyond universal electrification towards building a future-ready, sustainable and energy-secure Bihar. Guided by the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, the State is accelerating the adoption of rooftop solar, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, PM-KUSUM and the strengthening of agriculture feeders to ensure clean, reliable and affordable energy for every section of society.”

“Bihar is no longer merely seeking investments; it is inviting industries to become partners in its growth story. The State has emerged as a progressive destination backed by robust power infrastructure, policy support and a strong commitment to renewable energy. I invite investors, industry leaders and stakeholders from across the country and the world to join us in shaping Bihar’s next phase of growth. The Bihar Government stands committed to extending every possible support and working shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners to realise the shared vision of a greener, energy-secure and developed Bihar.”

On the sidelines of the conference, Hon’ble Energy Minister Shri Shailesh Kumar, along with Shri Ajay Yadav, Energy Secretary, Bihar, held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with leading industry stakeholders and international dignitaries to explore investment opportunities and strategic collaborations for Bihar’s rapidly expanding power sector. The Hon’ble Minister met Mr. Sanjeev Aggrawal, CMD, Hexa, Mr. Vineet Mittal, Founder & Chairman, Avaada Group, Mr. Rupal Gupta, Founder & Chairman, Oriana Power, and representatives of Jakson Group. The discussions focused on renewable energy, grid modernisation, clean energy technologies, power infrastructure, cross-border cooperation and investment opportunities aligned with Bihar’s long-term energy vision.

During the Special Session titled “Powering Bihar: Investment, Innovation & Growth,” Shri Ajay Yadav, IAS, Energy Secretary, Government of Bihar & Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD), BSPHCL, presented Bihar’s investment roadmap, highlighting how the State has achieved unprecedented expansion across generation, transmission and distribution while simultaneously creating a predictable and investor-friendly ecosystem for private participation.

Bihar showcased its remarkable transformation from a power-deficit State to one of India’s fastest-growing and most investor-ready power sectors. The State highlighted the successful turnaround of its utilities, with DISCOMs posting profits of over ₹2,300 crore and reducing AT&C losses to 11.54 percent, significantly below the national average. Bihar also showcased its leadership in smart metering with over 92 lakh smart prepaid meters, rapid vendor payments, cost-reflective tariffs, advance subsidy support and transparent regulatory mechanisms that have strengthened investor confidence. The presentation further highlighted a robust pipeline of renewable energy, thermal generation, battery energy storage systems (BESS), pumped storage, Green Energy Corridors, transmission expansion, smart grid infrastructure and digital transformation initiatives, alongside ambitious plans for rooftop solar, PM-KUSUM and solar parks. Backed by progressive policies, a skilled workforce, strong connectivity and a ₹1.40 lakh crore investment pipeline over the next five years, Bihar positioned itself as a compelling destination for domestic and global investors across the entire clean energy value chain.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ajay Yadav, IAS, Energy Secretary, Government of Bihar & CMD, BSPHCL, said:

“I invite all of you to invest in Bihar. The State will provide all the facilities that investors expect from any leading investment destination. We have established a Single Window Clearance System, under which every investor is assigned a dedicated nodal officer who will facilitate approvals and coordinate with all concerned departments to ensure a smooth investment process. Bihar’s power sector today represents a compelling investment opportunity built on strong governance, financial discipline, technology-led reforms and a future-focused vision. With an investment pipeline of nearly ₹1.40 lakh crore across generation, transmission, distribution, IT and maintenance, backed by a robust policy ecosystem and transparent processes, Bihar is ready to partner with domestic and global investors in building a resilient, clean and future-ready energy ecosystem.”

The Bihar State Session formed part of the 7th CII International Energy Conference & Exhibition (IECE 2026), which brought together policymakers, industry leaders, investors and technology innovators from India and across the world to deliberate on the future of energy security, clean energy transition and sustainable economic growth. The conference theme, “Transitioning with Energy Security – The New Global Order: Secure, Smart & Sustainable,” provided an important platform for showcasing Bihar’s remarkable progress, policy reforms and investment opportunities in the power sector.

New Delhi, August 7: Bihar today showcased its remarkable transformation in the power sector and outlined its roadmap for a digitally enabled, future-ready electricity ecosystem at the 7th CII International Energy Conference & Exhibition (IECE 2026) in New Delhi.

Representing the State, Shri Ajay Yadav, IAS, Energy Secretary, Government of Bihar & Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD), Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited (BSPHCL), participated as a distinguished panellist in the technical session, “Demand Response 2.0: Leveraging Smart Meters, DT Meters and IoT for Flexible Power Systems.” The discussion focused on the role of smart metering, AI, IoT and digital technologies in creating flexible and consumer-centric power systems.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Ajay Yadav said Bihar has emerged as a national leader in smart metering, having installed 92 lakh prepaid smart meters, represents nearly 70 per cent of all prepaid smart meters installed in the country. Further, when considering the total smart meter installations across India—including both prepaid and postpaid smart meters—Bihar accounts for around 30 per cent of the national installation base.

He said Bihar’s power sector has witnessed remarkable improvements between 2020 and 2025. Billing efficiency has increased from 75.14 per cent in financial year 2019-20 to 88.46 per cent in 2025- 26, collection efficiency from 86 per cent to 100 per cent, while AT&C losses have declined from 35.12 per cent in 2019-20 to 11.54 per cent in 2025- 26. The ACS-ARR gap has also turned positive.

Shri Yadav said prepaid smart metering has significantly reduced electricity theft, virtually eliminated arrears, improved billing efficiency and strengthened consumer confidence. Bihar has also generated nearly 10 billion data points, enabling utilities to better understand consumption patterns, forecast demand and improve decision-making. He added that the successful implementation of Time-of-Day (ToD) tariffs is helping optimise electricity consumption and strengthen demand-side management.

He further informed that Bihar has installed nearly two lakh Distribution Transformer (DT) meters, enabling real-time monitoring of transformer loading, predictive maintenance and better asset planning, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of the distribution network.

Highlighting the next phase of Bihar’s power reforms, Shri Yadav said the State is actively promoting industrialisation, planning to develop 13 greenfield satellite township and creating world-class infrastructure to support economic growth. Bihar has already recorded a peak demand of around 9,475 MW this year, while providing the power supply of 23-24 hours in urban areas and 22-23 hours in rural areas.

Emphasising the need to improve power quality alongside availability, he said, “Our focus is no longer limited to ensuring adequate power availability. We are now leveraging the digital energy ecosystem to deliver reliable, resilient and high-quality power supply for industries and consumers alike.”

Shri Yadav said Bihar is integrating advanced digital technologies across its distribution network through IoT-based monitoring, GIS-enabled asset mapping, Digital Asset Registers and an integrated Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform for real-time monitoring and faster decision-making. He also highlighted the Suvidha Bihar Portal, which offers 21 online consumer services, making electricity services more transparent and citizen-centric.

He added that the State is simultaneously expanding rooftop solar, solarisation of agricultural feeders and the PM-KUSUM Scheme, while preparing its distribution network through smart grid technologies and advanced analytics to support higher renewable energy integration.

Calling for greater collaboration among governments, utilities, technology providers, research institutions and industry, Shri Yadav said partnerships and technological innovation would be critical to building a resilient, digitally enabled and future-ready power sector.

The technical session also featured Dr. Krishna Kumar Dwivedi, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary (Power), Government of Assam; Dr. Anoop Singh, Professor, IIT Kanpur; Mr. Gopal Parikh, Senior Director, Kimbal; and Mr. Abhishek Ranjan, CEO, BRPL. Moderated by Mr. Madan Mohan Chakraborty, CEO & Managing Director, GridCrest Technologies Pvt. Ltd., the session highlighted the growing importance of smart metering, AI, IoT and digital technologies in enabling India’s clean energy transition and building a resilient power sector.

The panellists observed that India’s energy transition will increasingly depend on intelligent digital infrastructure capable of balancing rising electricity demand with higher renewable energy integration. They highlighted the critical role of smart metering, AI-driven analytics, IoT-enabled monitoring and demand response mechanisms in improving grid flexibility, reducing peak demand, strengthening system resilience and enhancing consumer participation.

They further emphasised that closer collaboration among governments, utilities, technology providers, research institutions and consumers will be instrumental in accelerating India’s transition towards a secure, sustainable and digitally enabled power sector.

Calling the initiative “Ghar Wapsi,” the CMD emphasized that this effort goes beyond recruitment, focusing on reconnecting with the extended Pawan Hans family. He personally invited alumni pilots to share their insights, aspirations, and experience to help shape the next era of Indian helicopter aviation.

Former pilots interested in returning or offering suggestions are encouraged to connect directly with the CMD via LinkedIn or email their details to cmd@pawanhans.co.in with the subject line “Ghar Wapsi Former Pawan Hans Pilot.” The initiative highlights the invaluable role experienced aviation professionals play in driving national civil aviation capabilities.

Supported by policy reforms, digital licensing, and royalty waivers, Indian FTOs expanded training aircraft from 324 to 385 over two years, while CPL issuances reached a decade-high of 1,652 in 2025. Key highlights include IGRUA achieving a budget surplus after two decades and progress on the indigenous HANSA-3 (NG) trainer aircraft.

Aligned with Viksit Bharat and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, this expansion aims to support Indian airlines’ order book of 1,640 aircraft under the vision “Train in India, Fly in India,” with safety remaining the topmost priority.

Highlighting that substance abuse destroys careers, weakens family structures, and undermines national progress, PM Modi urged the country’s youth to champion anti-drug awareness across their schools, colleges, and communities. He called on parents and society to eliminate the social stigma surrounding addiction, encouraging families to maintain open communication and seek timely medical rehabilitation rather than hiding substance abuse due to misplaced prestige concerns. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to a zero-tolerance approach, the Prime Minister assured that law enforcement will continue its relentless nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking and smuggling networks to safeguard India’s future.

The plantation drive will continue throughout the ongoing planting season as the DDA works towards achieving its ambitious plantation target. To make the campaign a people’s movement, the authority has partnered with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), educational institutions, religious organisations, corporate bodies and volunteer groups. Through these collaborations, the DDA aims to encourage greater public participation and strengthen community involvement in greening and conserving Delhi’s environment.