How has the PM-KUSUM scheme achieved 10,203 MW installation by November?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 10,203 MW installed under PM KUSUM by November.
- Rs 7,106 crore allocated to states.
- Focus on small and marginal farmers.
- Subsidies up to 50% for solar pump installations.
- Encourages renewable energy and de-dieselisation in agriculture.
New Delhi, Dec 10 (NationPress) A remarkable total of 10,203 MW has been installed across all facets of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) scheme as of the end of November, showcasing significant strides in its implementation, as stated by the government on Wednesday.
By November 30, a total of Rs 7,106 crore has been allocated to states in response to their requests, according to an official announcement.
The financial resources under the PM KUSUM scheme are distributed based on the requests submitted, progress updates from the State Implementing Agencies (SIA), and in accordance with the scheme’s guidelines.
To broaden the impact of the PM KUSUM initiative, the Ministry conducts extensive outreach and capacity-building workshops periodically, as noted in the statement.
This also encompasses regular review and support meetings with participating states, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
The PM KUSUM scheme, which is operational in all states and union territories, enables participation from individual farmers and their collectives, including farmer producer organizations, water user associations, and primary agriculture credit societies (PACS).
The Ministry indicated that it has streamlined processes and published comprehensive updated guidelines on January 17, 2024, to facilitate implementation.
The scheme prioritizes small and marginal farmers and those employing micro irrigation methods.
The PM-KUSUM initiative aims to reduce diesel dependency in agriculture and boost farmers' incomes, offering central government subsidies of up to 30% or 50% of the total costs for installing standalone solar pumps, as well as for solarizing existing grid-connected agricultural pumps.
Moreover, farmers can set up grid-connected solar power installations of up to 2MW on their barren or fallow land and sell the generated electricity to local DISCOMs at a tariff set by state regulators.
With transformative initiatives like PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, PM-JANMAN, and 'One Sun, One World, One Grid', India is spearheading efforts to achieve energy justice, empower the underprivileged, and enhance South-South cooperation.