The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha, even Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM), was launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). This scheme was launched to install solar pumps, grid-connected solar, and other connected renewable power plants for farmers in the country. It was launched by MNRE in 2019 to reduce the dependency on the grid with an aim at securing India’s commitment to increase electric power capacity from non-fossil-fuel sources. Through this scheme, the farmers will be able to sell surplus solar power to the grid, which will increase their income.
The three components of the PM-KUSUM scheme are:
- Component-A: The first component of it is to set up 10,000 MW of Decentralised Grid Connected Renewable Energy Power Plants. The farmers, cooperatives, panchayats, farmer organizations, etc., will establish renewable energy-based power plants in the barren land. The installation of the power plants can also be done on cultivable land on stilts under which crops can also be grown. At pre-fixed tariffs, the power generated at the plants will be purchased by DISCOMs.
- Component-B: The second component focuses on installing 17.50 Lakh stand-alone solar agriculture pumps. In the areas where grid supply is not available, farmers will be provided support to replace their existing diesel agricultural pumps or irrigation systems by installing stand-alone solar agricultural pumps.
- Component-C: The third component of this scheme is for the solarization of 10 Lakh Grid Connected Agriculture pumps. Individual farmers who have grid-connected agriculture pump will be supported to solarize their pump. The farmers will use the solar power it generates to meet their irrigation needs, and DISCOMS will buy the excess solar power at a pre-fixed tariff.
Significance of the PM-KUSUM scheme
- Through this scheme, rural areas will get access to electricity and be provided with a reliable energy source for agriculture and other rural activities.
- The farmers can augment their income by selling surplus solar energy to the states.
- The reasonable and efficient use of power will occur, as farmers will try to save power to sell it to the state.
- Society will move away from the use of decentralized solar-based irrigation.
- Job opportunities will be created as people will be required to install, maintain, and operate solar power projects.
- The rural community will be given control over its energy generation and distribution.
- A continuous and stable source of income will be created for rural landowners.
- The power plants will reduce transmission loss for DISCOMS and STUs, as the plants will be located close to the agricultural loads.
- The expenditure made on diesel will be saved, which is used for running diesel power pumps, by use of solar power pumps.
