The Bihar government has taken a major step towards making the state self-reliant in the energy sector. In a recent high-level meeting held at Vidyut Bhawan on February 20, 2026, top officials reviewed the progress of proposed nuclear power plants. It was confirmed that the land survey work in Banka district has been successfully completed, while preliminary assessments have now officially started in Siwan. These projects are part of a massive plan to generate clean electricity within the state.
Which locations have been selected for the Nuclear Plants?
During the review meeting chaired by Energy Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, specific details about the sites were discussed. The government is moving fast to finalize the locations so that construction can begin without delays. The focus is on finding areas with rocky terrain and low population density to ensure safety and stability.
- Banka District: The survey is complete. Two areas, Shambhuganj and Bhitiya, have been found technically suitable for the project.
- Siwan District: Teams have started the initial geo-assessment and land surveys to identify the best spot.
- Nawada District: The site at Rajauli remains the top contender for the state’s first nuclear plant, with an estimated first-phase cost of ₹20,000 crore.
- Water Supply: Officials are working on plans to bring water from the Ganges via pipeline or build reservoirs to ensure year-round cooling for these plants.
What is the update on Solar and Pumped Storage Projects?
Apart from nuclear energy, Bihar is also seeing huge investments in green energy storage and solar power. Private companies have signed agreements to invest thousands of crores to store excess electricity, which will be used during peak hours when demand is high. This technology will help keep the power supply stable across the state.
| Project Type | Company/Location | Investment/Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Pumped Storage | Greenko Energies (Ekamba, Nawada) | ₹7,800 Crore (1,200 MW) |
| Pumped Storage | Sun Petrochemicals (Gosaitari, Nawada) | ₹5,200 Crore (920 MW) |
| Solar Power | Kajra, Lakhisarai (Phase 1) | ₹2,865 Crore (301 MW) |
How will these projects benefit the common man?
These massive infrastructure projects are expected to bring direct benefits to the people of Bihar. Once operational, the state will rely less on the central government for electricity, which could lead to more stable and potentially cheaper electricity rates for households. Additionally, the construction phase alone is expected to generate significant employment.
Reports indicate that the pumped storage projects in Nawada will create around 8,000 jobs during the construction period. The shift towards solar and nuclear power also means Bihar will burn less coal, contributing to a cleaner environment and meeting the Net Zero 2070 goals. The Kajra solar plant has already started supplying power as of February 2026, marking a positive start to these initiatives.
