Maha and Rajasthan Lead Solar-Powered Agriculture Under KUSUM Programme

16 Jan 2025 CW Team

Maharashtra and Rajasthan are leading the way in the adoption of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) programme, specifically under Component C. This component aims to scale renewable energy infrastructure, addressing both agricultural sustainability and energy security. The two states are expected to contribute over 10 GW of solar capacity under the PM-KUSUM programme by 2025. The PM-KUSUM programme consists of three key components: small-scale solar projects (Component A), the installation of standalone solar-powered pumps (Component B), and the solarisation of existing grid-connected pumps (Component C).

Launched in 2019, the initiative seeks to improve energy access, increase farmers' incomes, and reduce environmental pollution by harnessing solar energy. The progress of solar pump installations under Component C has varied across the states, which operate via a dual mechanism—individual pump solarisation and feeder-level solarisation. Maharashtra has made substantial strides in the feeder-level solarisation sector, with 775,000 units approved and 12,748 installations completed. Rajasthan has excelled in individual pump solarisation, leading all states with a 27.09% installation rate, having completed 1,739 installations out of 6,418 approved units. Nationally, approvals have been granted for 3,385,494 feeder-level solarisation units and 171,640 individual pump solarisation units, with installation completion rates of 0.96% and 2.77%, respectively.

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