Chief Minister Mohan Yadav Unveils Power Purchase Agreements for Solar Feeder Scheme
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Bhopal, March 25 (NationPress) The Madhya Pradesh government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has officially allocated Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to the developers chosen under the Surya Mitra Krishi Feeder Scheme.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav handed out the Power Purchase Agreements during an event hosted at his residence, attended by State Energy Minister Praduman Singh Tomar and other senior officials from the energy department.
This initiative aims to enhance the agricultural sector through solar energy, guaranteeing daytime electricity supply for farmers and fostering energy independence within the state.
Yadav emphasized that this initiative marks a significant move towards transforming Madhya Pradesh into a ‘Green Power State’ and mentioned plans to connect around 800,000 electric pumps to solar energy.
“The distribution of Power Purchase Agreements under the ‘Surya Mitra Krishi Feeder’ scheme will facilitate the solar connection of about 800,000 electric pumps. This scheme includes solar projects amounting to 4,022 MW, providing electricity at a low cost of Rs 2.40 to Rs 2.85 per unit,” he added.
Manu Srivastava, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department, explained that solar power plants will be installed on electricity feeders to supply solar energy to agricultural pumps connected to both dedicated and mixed feeders linked to the grid.
He further noted that the entire feeder network and substations will be converted to solar power through the Surya Mitra Krishi Feeder Scheme, enabling lower electricity rates for consumers.
Investors meeting the necessary eligibility requirements have been chosen, with Power Purchase Agreements signed for a duration of 25 years.
This initiative is part of the Prime Minister's Kusum Yojana, which aims to establish solar power plants on feeders to provide renewable energy to grid-connected agricultural pumps.
Madhya Pradesh is recognized as a leading agricultural state, boasting approximately 8,000 dedicated agricultural feeders and around 3.5 million agricultural pumps used for irrigation.