Under PM-KUSUM Scheme it is targeted to achieve 10000 MW capacity through installation of grid-connected solar power plants each of capacity upto 2 MW under Component A and solarisation of 35 lakh agriculture pumps under Component-B and Component-C. PM-KUSUM is a demand driven scheme and capacities are allocated based on demand received from the states. As on 31.10.2022 an aggregate solar capacity of 73.45 MW has been installed under Component- A of the Scheme against total allocation of 4886 MW capacity and over 1.52 lakh agriculture pumps have been reported solarised against the allocation of 33.5 lakh pumps under the Scheme.

Availability of low-cost financing for farmers and state share of funds is a major challenge in implementation of the PM-KUSUM Scheme. In addition, the pace of implementation was significantly affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020-21 and 2021-22. Till 31.10.2022, a total of 21499 standalone solar pumps in the State of Maharashtra and 2242 standalone solar pumps in the State of Tamil Nadu have been reported installed under Component- B of PM-KUSUM Scheme. No existing grid connected agriculture pump is reported solarized.

As per PM-KUSUM Scheme, the implementation agencies in the States/ UTs have to provide  priority to the small and marginal farmers while selecting the beneficiaries. Further, separate budgetary allocations are made under the Scheme for the beneficiaries belonging to Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes and also those living in the North-Eastern States. Therefore, benefits under the Scheme are already available to the economically backward groups/areas of the country.

Since the launch of PM-KUSUM Scheme on 8.3.2019 until 31.10.2022, a total of 21499 farmers in the State of Maharashtra and 2242 farmers in the State of Tamil Nadu have been benefitted under the PM-KUSUM Scheme.

Following provisions of the PM-KUSUM Scheme aim to increase country’s solar water pump manufacturing capacity: (i) Target of installation or solarisation of 35 lakh pumps through central financial support under the Scheme provides visibility of demand in the coming years. (ii) Condition of domestic content requirement for participation in Component-B and Component-C. (iii) Direct participation of manufacturers of solar pumps/ solar photovoltaic modules/ solar pump controller either as sole bidder or member of a Joint Venture, in bidding under Component-B and Component-C.

Presently, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing two major schemes for decentralised solar power production. These include (i) PM-KUSUM scheme targeted to achieve 10000 MW capacity through installation of grid-connected solar power plants each of capacity upto 2 MW under Component A and solarisation of 35 lakh agriculture pumps under Component- B and Component-C; and (ii) Rooftop Solar Programme Phase II targeted to achieve 40 GW rooftop solar capacity in the country. The timeline of both the schemes have been extended till 31.3.2026

This information was given by Shri R.K Singh, Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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SS/IG