The Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has granted a final extension to solar projects pending installation under Component A of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) program until September 30, 2023.
The decision was taken to address the difficulties faced by farmers in accessing finances during the initial phase of the program. The extension will apply only to projects where the beneficiary has reported financial closure to the state implementation agencies on or before March 31, 2023.
The PM-KUSUM program, launched in 2019, aims to set up renewable energy-based power plants of a capacity of 500 kW to 2 MW on barren land by individual farmers, groups of farmers, and panchayats. The program seeks to engage farmers in the energy industry and utilize the vast landmass for renewable energy installations.
The program has faced delays due to difficulties in accessing finances, and most farmers have only recently received loans, which are still under process. The previous extension granted by the MNRE was up to December 31, 2022, due to the constraints in accessing finances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on lenders.
The final extension to September 30, 2023, covers projects approved by the MNRE under Component A of the PM-KUSUM program during the financial year 2019-20. For projects that miss the extended deadline, the balance capacity will be withdrawn and reallocated to the states based on fresh proposals.
View the official document here:
 has extended the deadline for solar projects pending installation under Component A of the PM-KUSUM program to September 30, 2023. The program aims to set up renewable energy-based power plants on barren land by individual farmers, groups of farmers, and panchayats. The decision was taken to address the difficulties faced by farmers in accessing finances during the initial phase, and the extension will apply only to projects where financial closure is reported by March 31, 2023.){kind=link}