MNRE Issues Guidelines for Implementation of KUSUM Scheme

Maharashtra Introduces Land Lease Model for Solar-Powered Agriculture

MNRE has issued guidelines for the implementation of the Rs 34,422 crore KUSUM Scheme

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued guidelines for the implementation of the Rs 34,422 crore Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Uthan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) Scheme, that aims to provide both financial security and more sustainable water access for farmers, by generating solar power in their farms and use the clean energy to replace their diesel water pumps. 

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in February had approved the launch of the scheme with an estimated budget of Rs 34,422 crore which involves the setting up of 25,750-MW solar capacity by 2022.

By projecting a total expense of Rs 34,422 crores for the scheme, the government has made its intent clear, and one hopes that the actual work on the ground will have the same backing and support. The scheme hopes to provide 27.5 lakh solar pumps {17.50 lakh standalone (Component B) + 10 Lakh Grid-connected (Component C)}.

Besides, as already announced earlier last week, farmers with barren or uncultivable land will be supported for installation of a  total 10 GW of Solar Power Plants (Component A) of the intermediate capacity of 0.5 to 2 MW each. 50,000 Grid-connected tube-wells/lift irrigation and drinking water projects are also part of the plan.

As per the guidelines, the component-A and component-C part of the scheme will be implemented initially on pilot mode for 1000 MW capacity and one lakh grid-connected agriculture pumps respectively and Component-B will be implemented in a full-fledged manner with total central government support of Rs 19,036.5 crore.

After successful implementation of the pilot project of components A and C, the same shall be scaled up with necessary modifications based on the learning from the pilot phase with the total support of Rs 15,385.5 crore.

The implementation mechanism for the scheme and all the projects, including the role of all stakeholders like the MNRE, Discoms, developers, etc. have been further explained here. With many states already releasing nearly similar policies, this move by the center should encourage others to join in too, leaving India with a broader consensus on getting renewable energy to play a bigger role in its agricultural sector.