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05/02/23 08:43 AM IST

PM-KUSUM scheme gets 3-year extension till 2026

In News
  • To boost the solar power installation in rural areas under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) PM-KUSUM scheme, the government has extended it till March 2026.
PM-KUSUM
  • The centre had launched this scheme in 2019 to add solar capacity of 30,800 MW by 2022.
  • The government had planned to infuse ₹34,422 crore of funding in the scheme.
  • Objectives- Installation 20 lakh solar-powered agriculture pumps
  • Converting 15 lakh agriculture pumps, already connected to the grid, into solar.
  • It aims to enable farmers to set up solar power generation capacity on their arid lands and to sell it to the grid.
  • It also seeks to increase the income of farmers by allowing them to sell surplus solar power to the grid.
  • The scheme helps in achieving the aim by increasing India's share of solar power generation.
  • PM-KUSUM consists of three main components.
  • Component A focuses on the installation of 10,000 MW of solar capacity by setting up small power plants of capacity of 2 MW. These power plants will be set up by farmers, panchayats, cooperatives, farmer producers,etc, in barren land.
  • Component B lays emphasis on the installation of 20 lakh standalone solar-powered agriculture pumps. Under this component, government will support individual farmers in setting up solar pumps of a capacity up to 7.5 HP.
  • Under component C, the government will work for the solarisation of 15 lakh grid-connected agriculture pumps.
Significance
  • It incentivises the farmers to sell surplus solar energy to the states, which in turn will augment their income.
  • The scheme is expected to increase access to electricity in rural areas and provide a reliable source of energy for agriculture and other rural activities
  • The scheme is expected to create job opportunities in the installation, maintenance, and operation of solar power projects.
  • The scheme is expected to empower rural communities by giving them control over their own energy generation and distribution.
Source- LiveMint

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