PM-KUSUM (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Scheme)

Context: The Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy and Power has informed in lok sabha that the main objectives of the PM-KUSUM include de-dieselisation of the farm sector, providing water and energy security.

PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Uttham Mahabhiyan)

• About: It  envisages income generation for farmers from their infertile land with the establishment of solar power plants.

oWhile the farmers can sell the power generated from the solar plants to the power distribution companies, the solar pumps can also be installed for irrigation of agricultural land.

• Origin: It was launched in 2019 by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• Aim: To help farmers access reliable daytime solar power for irrigation, reduce power subsidies, and decarbonise agriculture. 

oState wise targets or fund allocation is not made under PM-KUSUM as it is a demand driven scheme.

Three Components

• Component A: 10,000 MW of Decentralized Ground Mounted Grid Connected Renewable Power Plants of individual plant size up to 2 MW.
• Component B: Installation of 14 lakh standalone Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps of individual pump capacity up to 7.5 HP.
• Component C: Solarisation of 35 Lakh Grid-connected Agriculture Pumps of individual pump capacity up to 7.5 HP.