The Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy and Power unveiled details of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme, aimed at revolutionizing power accessibility for farmers across India. Launched in March 2019 and expanded in September 2023, the scheme aims to drive the adoption of renewable energy sources, thereby reducing diesel dependency, ensuring energy and water security, and boosting farmers’ income while curbing environmental pollution.
The PM-KUSUM Scheme encompasses three pivotal components:
Component ‘A’ involves the installation of 10,000 MW of decentralized ground or stilt-mounted solar or renewable energy-based power plants on barren, fallow, or cultivable lands, open for participation by individual farmers, cooperatives, and other entities.
Component ‘B’ focuses on deploying 14 lakh standalone solar pumps in off-grid areas to cater to agricultural water needs.
Component ‘C’ entails solarizing 35 lakh existing grid-connected agriculture pumps, both at the individual pump level and through feeder-level solarization initiatives.
Financial assistance under the scheme is demand-driven and accessible to all farmers nationwide, with varying levels of support for different components. Procurement Based Incentives (PBI) are extended to DISCOMs at 40 paise/kWh or Rs. 6.60 lakhs/MW/year for the purchase of solar or renewable power, while beneficiaries of Components B and C receive a CFA (Central Financial Assistance) of 30% to 50% of benchmark costs, depending on the region. Feeder solarization, under Component C, garners a CFA of Rs. 1.05 Crore per MW, with no mandatory state financial support requirement.
The scheme marks a significant stride towards sustainable agricultural practices and rural electrification, promising a brighter and greener future for Indian farmers.
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