Union Minister of New Renewable Energy furnished the current status of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) scheme through a written response in Lok Sabha.
PM-KUSUM
- The PM-KUSUM is a flagship scheme initiated by the Indian government in 2019 with the primary objective of transforming the agricultural sector by promoting the adoption of solar energy solutions.
- It operates on a demand-driven approach. Capacities are allocated based on the demands received from various states and union territories (UTs).
- Through various components and financial support, PM-KUSUM envisions achieving a significant solar power capacity addition of 30.8 GW by March 31, 2026.
- De-dieselisation of the Farm Sector: The scheme aims to reduce the dependence on diesel for irrigation by encouraging the use of solar-powered pumps and other renewable energy sources.
- It also seeks to increase farmers’ income by reducing irrigation costs through the use of solar pumps and enabling them to sell surplus solar power to the grid.
- Water and Energy Security for Farmers: By providing access to solar pumps and promoting solar-based community irrigation projects, the scheme aims to enhance water and energy security for farmers.
- Curbing Environmental Pollution: Through the adoption of clean and renewable solar energy, the scheme aims to mitigate environmental pollution caused by conventional energy sources.
Components
- Component-A: Setting up of 10,000 MW of Decentralized Ground/Stilt Mounted Solar Power Plants on barren/fallow/pasture/marshy/ cultivable land of farmers.
- Component-B: Installation of 20 Lakh Stand-alone Solar Pumps in off-grid areas.
- Component-C: Solarisation of 15 Lakh Grid Connected Agriculture Pumps through: Individual Pump Solarisation and Feeder Level Solarisation.