Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) 2.0: Reduce Costs, Increase Income with Solar Power

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme was launched in 2019 by the Government of India under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The scheme aims to help farmers by the installation of solar pumps and power plants connected via a grid. This was also done to put India on the path of sustainability by making use of renewable energy resources. India has always relied on non-renewable sources of energy which has led to drastically negative changes in our environment. The PM-KUSUM scheme will help not only the farmers, but also protect our surroundings. It will provide farmers with resource support and enhance their earnings while simultaneously propagating the idea of a clean and green India. 

 

In 2019, the scheme was launched in three components – 

 

1. Component-A was largely centred around installing Decentralised Grid Connected Renewable Energy Power Plants on land that was barren and not of any use. These power plants would have 10,000 MW in terms of energy. The plan was to create renewable energy power plants ranging from 500 kW to 2MW for individual farmers, panchayats, groups of farmers, cooperatives or any other body of people that required it. The installation of the power plants can also be carried out on fertile and cultivable land where certain crops that don’t require a lot of sun can grow beneath the solar panels. All the power plants under this project will be made within a 5 kilometre radius of the sub stations. This will save money as transmission lines will be short and hence less losses will be incurred. The local DISCOM will buy the power and the prices will already be fixed. 
2. Component-B of the PM-KUSUM scheme called for the creation of more than 17 lakh individual solar agricultural pumps. Under this component, farmers were encouraged to have their own agricultural pumps run on solar energy with a capacity of nearly 7.5 HP. If the farmers want to, they can also install pumps that exceed that capacity. However, financial help will only be given up till the 7.5 HP limit. 
3. Component-C of the PM-KUSUM scheme encouraged the solarisation of 10 lakh Grid Connected Agriculture Pumps. This way, those farmers who have grid connected agricultural pumps will be able to make use of them through solar power. This solar power will help them in various ways such as meeting irrigation demands and any solar energy that is left will be bought by DISCOM at an already fixed rate. 

Now that we have talked about each component in detail, let’s talk about the financial assistance provided by the central and state government to help facilitate the projects under each component. 

 

1. Under component-A, 40p kilowatt per hour or ₹6,60,000 megawatt per year will be provided, depending on whichever is less. This will be provided by the ministry of new and renewable energy to DISCOMs only for the first five years. This is a procurement based incentive (PBI). 
2. Under component B and C, 30 percent of the tender or benchmark cost will be provided by the central government, depending upon which is lower. Respective state governments will also provide a 30 percent subsidy. In Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sikkim, and North Eastern States, the central government will provide 50 percent financial assistance and the state government will provide 30 percent as a subsidy. 

 

In recent years, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy extended the deadline of providing 30,000 MW of solar power in rural areas of the country. Now, this task is said to be completed by March 2026. A total of ₹34,422 crores has been provided by the Government of India for this initiative. 

 

Importance of this scheme

 

1. The PM-KUSUM scheme has increased access to solar energy. Earlier, solar energy could not reach rural areas or agricultural fields. Under this scheme, farmers can make use of this renewable source of energy. The government also incentivises this source of energy which enhances the income of the farmer. It makes the work much more efficient and farmers can focus on other rural activities as well. 
2. Under this scheme, farmers can sell any surplus solar power that they have left. This will incentivise them to use as little solar power as possible. This will result in the reasonable use of groundwater. Using solar power to run irrigation systems will also help in eliminating the use of non-renewable fuels, such as diesel, which pollute the environment. 
3. This scheme will also help in reducing the carbon footprint of India by a very large scale. It is expected that once the scheme is fully implemented, carbon emissions can reduce up to 32,000,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum. 
4. This scheme is also creating growth and employment opportunities in rural areas. People are required to create the solar power plants, maintain and operate them. This leads to creation of jobs. Rural groups and communities will be empowered to work under this scheme. 

 

Challenges in the PM KUSUM scheme

 

1. The biggest challenge is in the financial aspect of the scheme. A large amount of money is required for the creation of systems that can harness solar power. A lot of farmers may not have the financial capacity to maintain them as well.
2. There is also not a lot of awareness among rural areas about what solar power does, and how it can be made useful. A lot of awareness still needs to be spread in terms of the benefits of solar power and farmers need to be taught how they can include solar power in their work. 

 

How to apply for PM KUSUM? 

 

1. Visit the official website of PM-KUSUM. 
2. You will see a registration form that you need to fill with all the required details. 
3. Submit your registration form and then login. 
4. Now, fill out all the important information required and provide all the required documents. 

 

Eligibility criteria 

 

The following categories can apply for the PM-KUSUM scheme –

 

1. An individual farmer.
2. A group of farmers.
3. FPO or Farmer producer organisation.
4. Panchayat.
5. Co-operatives.
6. Water User Associations.

 

Required documents 

 

1. Aadhar card
2. A land document including KhasraKhatauni
3. A bank account passbook
4. A declaration form
5. Mobile number
6. Passport size photo

 

The PM KUSUM scheme is a successful step towards a clean and green India.