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MNRE Revises Solar Target Under PM-KUSUM Scheme

MNRE To Aim For 30.8 GW PV By 2022 From Solar For Farmers PM-KUSUM Scheme, Expanding It From Previously Targeted 25.75 GW

Anu Bhambhani
  • MNRE has revised the targets for its solar for farmers scheme dubbed as PM-KUSUM
  • Total targeted solar PV capacity addition from the scheme now is 30.8 GW, up from previous target of 25.75 GW
  • Scaled up targets will be implemented from 2020-21 and further implementation will be subject to external evaluation

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" admin_label="section" _builder_version="3.22"][et_pb_row admin_label="row" _builder_version="3.25" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.25" custom_padding="|||" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text" _builder_version="3.27.4" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat"]The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in India has revised upwards the solar PV installation target under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme, increasing it from 25.75 GW earlier to 30.8 GW to be achieved by 2022 (see 25.75 GW Solar From Farming In India).

The scheme is aimed at providing energy security and as a result socio-economic uplift of farmers by encouraging them to use solar power. With the revision of this capacity, the government has also increased its central financial support for the scheme to a total of INR 340.35 billion ($4.58 billion) from the previous amount of INR 334.22 billion.

Of the 3 components of the program, component A with 10 GW of solar PV capacity remains the same. Under component B, instead of 1.75 million standalone solar power agricultural pumps with individual capacity of up to 7.5 horsepower (HP), the target has been increased to 2 million pumps with a combined solar power capacity of 9.6 GW. Under component C, instead of solarization of 1 million grid connected solar powered agricultural pumps by individual farmers with each having 7.5 HP, the revision now aims for 1.5 million with a total installed capacity of 11.2 GW.

Commissioning timeline of the 3 components is also defined in the MNRE notice on annual basis between FY 2019-20 to FY 2022-23. The ministry said scaled up targets will be implemented for the year 2020-21 and further implementation of the scheme will be considered post external evaluation.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]