Lok Sabha Question No. 1564 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-26
Subject: KUSUM Scheme
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: DIPSINH SHANKARSINH RATHOD, SHOBHA KARANDLAJE, MOHANBHAI KALYANJIBHAI KUNDARIYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1564

TO BE ANSWERED ON-26.07.2018

## KUSUM SCHEME

## 1564. SHRI  D.S. RATHOD KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE SHRI KUNDARIYA MOHAN BHAI KALYANJI BHAI

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  approved  the  Kisan  Urja  Suraksha  Evam  Utthaan  Mahaabhiyan (KUSUM) scheme to promote the use of solar power among farmers and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the objectives of launching the KUSUM scheme along with the financial support being given under the scheme;
- (c)  the time by which the KUSUM scheme is likely to be rolled out;
- (d) the details of the solarization of existing  grid connected agriculture pumps and funds earmarked under the scheme district -wise for various States particularly for Gujarat;
- (e)  whether  any  provision  is  made  to  sell  the  surplus  solar  power  generated  to  Discoms  and  get  extra income for the farmers and if so, the details thereof;
- (f) whether under the new hydro policy, the large hydro projects (above 25MW) would also be brought under the definition of renewable energy and if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) whether India's renewable energy capacity excluding large hydro projects has increased to 68 GW by the end of March, 2018 compared to 57 GW last year and if so, the details thereof along with the steps initiated to have 40 per cent of the energy mix from non-fossil fuels?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER (I/C) (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

- (a) to (e) The Government of India is in the process of formulating a Scheme 'Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM)' to, inter alia, provide for:
- (i) installation of grid-connected solar power plants each of capacity up to 2 MW in the rural areas;
- (ii)  installation  of  standalone  off-grid  solar  water  pumps  to  fulfill  irrigation  needs  of  farmers  not connected to the grid;
- (iii) solarization of existing grid-connected agriculture pumps to make farmers independent of grid supply and also enable them to sell surplus solar power generated to DISCOM and get extra income; and
- (iv) solarization of tube-wells and lift irrigation projects of Government sector.

The details on funds and mode of implementation will be decided on approval of the Scheme.

- (f) The Government is considering to declare all hydropower (irrespective of size) as Renewable Energy.
- (g)  Renewable  energy  capacity  in  the  country  has  increased  to  69.8  GW  by  end  of  March,  2018.  To increase share of renewable energy in the energy mix, inter alia, following steps have been taken by the Government:
- i. Announcement of a target of installing 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by March, 2022;
- ii. Declaration of trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2021-22;
- iii. Declaration of Renewable Generation Obligation on new coal/lignite based thermal plants;
- iv. Waiving of Inter State Transmission System charges and losses for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned up to March, 2022;
- v. Notification of  National Offshore Wind Energy Policy;
- vi. Notification of standards for deployment of solar photovoltaic systems/devices.