Bihar has seen a dramatic increase in its energy needs and consumption over the past 20 years. The state consumed 700 megawatts of electricity in 2005. This figure has grown by over twelve times, reaching 8,428 megawatts by June 2025, according to figures from the Bihar Energy Department, indicating ongoing increases in energy demand.
Under the Chief Minister’s Electricity Connection Assurance Scheme, all homes in the state were electrified by October 2018, five months ahead of the original deadline. The scheme was later rebranded as ‘Saubhagya’.
Per capita energy consumption has also risen dramatically, increasing roughly fivefold in the past 20 years. In 2012, per capita consumption was 134 kilowatt-hours, rising to 160 kilowatt-hours by 2014. The number of electricity consumers has also soared, rising by about 12.5 times. In 2005, the state had 1.7 million electricity consumers, a figure that grew to 21.4 million by 2025.
Today, both urban and rural areas in Bihar enjoy an average of 22-24 hours of electricity. Urban areas typically have power for 23-24 hours, and rural areas for 22-23 hours. This is a significant improvement over 2005, when urban areas had power for 10-12 hours and rural areas for just 5-6 hours. By 2012, urban areas saw 14-16 hours of power, and rural areas received 8-10 hours. In 2014, urban areas had electricity for 20-21 hours, while rural areas had 14-16 hours. The number of electrified villages has jumped from 14,020 in 2005 to 39,073. Likewise, the number of electrified hamlets in the state hit 106,249 by 2025.