Module 1: Energy Sector Overview & Power Scenario in Bihar

📖 Chapter 6 of 10 🧩 Module 1 of 17 ⏱️ ~2 min read 💡 1 MCQs

Topic Part 1 of 2

The availability of adequate, reliable, and quality power at a competitive rate directs the economic growth of a region. India is both a major energy producer and consumer, ranking as the world's seventh largest energy producer and consumer. Energy is an essential input for all aspects of modern life and is considered a basic human need, serving as the key to economic acceleration, employment generation, poverty elimination, and human development.

Historical Context of Bihar's Power Sector:

Before independence, the power sector in Bihar was confined to a few self-generating industrial establishments. A separate electricity department was created in 1948. The sector received structured institutional momentum with the establishment of the State Electricity Board on April 1, 1958, under which power generation and distribution schemes were transferred from the electricity department to the Board.

Power Scenario & Availability Leap (2005 vs Present):

Bihar was previously the only major state where domestic electricity generation was negligible and transmission and distribution networks were inadequate.
The State Government resolved to transform this under the governing vision: 'Hamara Adhar Urjaswit Bihar', implementing infrastructure strengthening schemes worth over Rs. 8,000 crore across generation, transmission, and distribution.
Average Power Availability: In November 2005, power availability was merely 5–8 hours in urban areas and 2–3 hours in rural areas. At present, average availability has reached 22–24 hours in urban areas and 18–20 hours in rural areas.
Per Capita Consumption Jump: Per capita electricity consumption in Bihar rose from 145 kWh in 2012-13 to 332 kWh in 2019-20, recording an increase of 129 percent.

⭐ Key Points

Bihar was previously the only major state where domestic electricity generation was negligible and transmission and distribution networks were inadequate.
The State Government resolved to transform this under the governing vision: 'Hamara Adhar Urjaswit Bihar', implementing infrastructure strengthening schemes worth over Rs. 8,000 crore across generation, transmission, and distribution.
Average Power Availability: In November 2005, power availability was merely 5–8 hours in urban areas and 2–3 hours in rural areas. At present, average availability has reached 22–24 hours in urban areas and 18–20 hours in rural areas.
Per Capita Consumption Jump: Per capita electricity consumption in Bihar rose from 145 kWh in 2012-13 to 332 kWh in 2019-20, recording an increase of 129 percent.

📌 One-line Q&A

Bihar was previously the only major state where domestic electricity — generation was negligible and transmission and distribution networks were inadequate.
The State Government resolved to transform this under the governing vision: 'Hamara Adhar Urjaswit Bihar', implementing infrastructure strengthening schemes worth over Rs. 8,000 crore across generation, transmission, and distribution.
Average Power Availability: In November 2005, power availability was merely 5–8 hours in urban areas and 2–3 hours in rural areas. At present, average availability has reached 22–24 hours in urban areas and 18–20 hours in rural areas.
Per Capita Consumption Jump: Per capita electricity consumption in Bihar rose from 145 kWh in 2012-13 to 332 kWh in 2019-20, recording an increase of 129 percent.

Questions 1 MCQs

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What was the per capita electricity consumption in Bihar in 2019-20?

Per capita consumption in Bihar rose by 129% from 145 kWh in 2012-13 to 332 kWh in 2019-20.

Question 1 of 1

One-liners

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Bihar was previously the only major state where domestic electricity ______

generation was negligible and transmission and distribution networks were inadequate.

The State Government resolved to transform this under the governing vision: 'Hamara Adhar Urjaswit Bihar', implementing infrastructure strengthening schemes worth over ______ across generation, transmission, and distribution.

Rs. 8,000 crore

Average Power Availability: In November 2005, power availability was merely ______ and 2–3 hours in rural areas. At present, average availability has reached 22–24 hours in urban areas and 18–20 hours in rural areas.

5–8 hours in urban areas

Per Capita Consumption Jump: Per capita electricity consumption in Bihar rose from 145 kWh in 2012-13 to 332 kWh in 2019-20, recording an increase of ______.

129 percent