KUSUM Scheme – harnessing solar power for rural India

Solar water pumps to be installed in remote areas for irrigation needs

Farmers can get extra income by selling surplus solar power to DISCOMs

The Government of India is in the process of formulating a Scheme ‘Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM)’ which, inter alia, provides for:

(i)         installation of grid-connected solar power plants each of capacity up to 2 MW in the rural areas;

(ii)        installation of standalone off-grid solar water pumps to fulfill irrigation needs of farmers not connected to grid;

(iii)       solarization of existing grid-connected agriculture pumps to make farmers independent of grid supply and also enable them to sell surplus solar power generated to DISCOM and get extra income; and

(iv)       solarization of tube-wells and lift irrigation projects of Government sector.

The details on funds and mode of implementation will be decided on approval of the Scheme.

This information was provided by Shri R.K. Singh, Union Minister of State (IC) Power and New & Renewable Energy in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.