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Bihar State

Critical minerals, policy, and the energy transition

The Energy Transition in Bihar, India

Bihar, lying across the fertile Gangetic plain, is accelerating its shift toward distributed clean power after decades of reliance on coal-based imports. Installed renewable capacity reached 539 MW in Mar 2025, up from less than 60 MW in 2019, and the Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission targets a 43% renewable share by 2030, with solar expected to supply 34%. Momentum is building with a 185 MW solar park and 254 MW battery system at Kajra, a tender for 10 MW of floating solar on the Durgawati dam, and more than 94 MW of rooftop arrays on 10,000 government buildings. These projects, alongside transmission upgrades adding 1.4 GW of interstate capacity, aim to phase out diesel back-up sets and stabilise rural feeders. Geologically, Bihar hosts India’s largest pyrite deposit at Amjhore in Rohtas, providing a domestic sulphur source for fertiliser and emerging lithium-sulphur batteries. Recent auctions in Gaya and Jamui released blocks with chromite, nickel and platinum-group elements, broadening the state’s critical-mineral slate and positioning Bihar as an eastern hub for specialty metals.

Essential Mineral Production and Products in Bihar
Energy Raw Materials and products produced in Bihar

A state-by-state analysis of India’s critical minerals and energy transition policies

SFA explores the state-level frontlines of India’s strategy to secure its position in the global energy transition. As demand surges for critical minerals used in electric vehicles, grid storage, solar, and hydrogen technologies, India is intensifying efforts to diversify supply, localise processing, and reduce strategic dependencies. This analysis examines how mineral endowments, state-level industrial policy, and renewable energy deployment intersect across the Indian landscape. From lithium-bearing pegmatites in Karnataka and Jammu & Kashmir to rare-earth-rich coastal sands in Tamil Nadu and Odisha, this state-by-state review highlights the opportunities and constraints shaping India’s clean-energy future and its role in global mineral security.

LithoX | Critical Minerals and the Global Energy Transition

The global energy transition to net zero is underway. Who is leading? How are supply chains being secured? How do the geopolitics vary? SFA (Oxford) provides a global overview of critical minerals, policy and legislation.

Asia

Asia's diverse geology includes significant rare earth reserves crucial for electronics and renewable energy technologies. Countries like China lead production and processing, driving economic growth while facing sustainability challenges and environmental impact.

Meet the Critical Minerals team

Trusted advice from a dedicated team of experts.

Henk de Hoop

Chief Executive Officer

Beresford Clarke

Managing Director: Technical & Research

Jamie Underwood

Principal Consultant

Ismet Soyocak

ESG & Critical Minerals Lead

Rj Coetzee

Senior Market Analyst: Battery Materials and Technologies

How can we help you?

SFA (Oxford) provides bespoke, independent intelligence on the strategic metal markets, specifically tailored to your needs. To find out more about what we can offer you, please contact us.

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