PM-KUSUM – Grid-connected solar power plants of 89.45 MW capacity installed; 2.09 lakh agriculture pumps have been solarized – EQ Mag

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has taken several steps to achieve the targets under the PM-KUSUM Scheme. This includes amendment in the Scheme guidelines based on feedback received during implementation. Details of the major amendments made in the scheme are given at Annexure-I.

State/ UT-wise details of the beneficiaries under the PM-KUSUM Scheme are given in Annexure-II.

As on 28.02.2023, grid-connected solar power plants of 89.45 MW capacity have been installed and 2.09 lakh agriculture pumps have been solarized under the Scheme. This installed capacity is estimated to have reduced the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 0.67 million tonnes and reduced diesel consumption by 143 million litres of diesel per annum.

Amendment in the PM-KUSUM Scheme to ease implementation inter-alia include:

• PM-KUSUM Scheme has been extended till 31.03.2026.
• Feeder level solarization has been introduced under Component-C of the Scheme.
• Besides barren, fallow and agricultural land, solar power plants can also be installed on pasturelands and marshlands of farmers.
• To support small farmers, the solar power projects smaller than 500 kW may be allowed by States based on techno-commercial feasibility.
• Penalty on solar power generator for shortfall in solar power generation under Component-A removed.
• Central Financial Assistance (CFA) available for pump capacity up to 15 HP (increased from 7.5 HP) to the individual farmers in the North-eastern States, UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and
• Ladakh, States of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and Island UTs of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep, and for each farmer in the cluster/ community irrigation projects in high water table areas in all the States/ UTs.

For solar pumps to be set up and used by Water User Associations (WUA), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO), Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS) and cluster-based irrigation systems, CFA is allowed for solar pump capacity higher than
7.5 HP, considering up to 5 HP capacity for each individual farmer in the group/ association.

• State level tender allowed for procurement of standalone solar pumps.
• Time period extended for implementation to 24 months from the date of initial sanction.
• The condition of domestic content requirement for solar cells has been waived off for the feeder solarization projects under Component-C for which work is awarded to the implementing company (EPC contractor in case of CAPEX or the RESCO Company) by 20.06.2023.
• Requirement of performance bank guarantees under Component-A and Component-C (Feeder Level Solarization) relaxed.
• Installation of meters with the agricultural electricity connections of farmers has been made optional under Feeder Level Solarization.
• Tender conditions have been revised to increase the installer base in order to expedite extending benefit under the Scheme.
• Specifications & testing procedure of the solar pumps is revised from time to time to promote quality of installations.

33% of eligible service charges under the Scheme earmarked for nation-wide Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities.

State/UT-wise details of beneficiaries under PM-KUSUM Scheme (as on 28.02.2023)

This information was given by the Union Minister of Renewable Energy & Power Sh. R.K. Singh in the Lok Sabha Today.