Lok Sabha Question No. 702 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-21
Subject: Objectives of PM-KUSUM
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Supriya Sadanand Sule, DNV Senthilkumar. S., Sunil Dattatray Tatkare, Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Kuldeep Rai Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 702

ANSWERED ON 21.07.2022

## OBJECTIVES OF PM-KUSUM

702.SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR. S SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA

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

- (a) whether the Government has achieved the objective for which Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) was launched and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the target fixed and achieved under PM-KUSUM during the last three years and the current year;
- (c)    the reasons for inability to install solar water pumps under PM-KUSUM;
- (d) the number of solar water pumps that have been installed under PM-KUSUM during the said period in the State/Union Territory of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andaman & Nicobar Islands;
- (e) the steps taken by the Government to increase the country's solar water pump manufacturing capacity;
- (f) whether the Government has requisite surveillance mechanisms and is taking active measures to ensure solar water pumps do not disrupt the ground water table in districts with depleted levels of ground water and if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to decentralised solar power production?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

## (SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA)

(a) & (b) The objectives of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PMKUSUM) include de-dieselisation of the farm sector, providing water and energy security to farmers, increasing the  income of farmers and curbing environmental pollution. To achieve these objectives, following targets have been kept under the Scheme:

Component-A: 10,000 MW of Decentralized Ground Mounted Grid Connected Solar Power Plants.

Component-B: Installation of 20 lakh standalone Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps.

Component-C: Solarisation of 15 Lakh Grid-connected Agriculture Pumps including through Feeder Level Solarisation.

PM-KUSUM is a demand driven scheme and capacities are allocated based on demand received from the states. Component-wise capacity allocated and achieved in the last three years and current year, till 30.06.2022, is as given below:

| Component   | Capacity sanctioned   | Capacity Installed   |
|-------------|-----------------------|----------------------|
| Component-A | 4906MW                | 56MW                 |
| Component-B | 3.59 lakh nos.        | 1.23 lakh nos.       |
| Component-C | 10.01 lakh nos.       | 1047 nos.            |

- (c) Although installation of solar pumps is being carried out continuously, the pace of implementation has been significantly affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic. To compensate the implementing agencies for challenges faced due to supply chain disruptions and capital & liquidity issues, Ministry has provided multiple extensions. Despite the above-mentioned challenges, 1.23 lakh solar pumps have been installed till 30.06.2022 under Component-B of PM-KUSUM Scheme and 1047 nos. of grid-connected pumps have been solarized under Component 'C'.
- (d) Till 30.06.2022, under Component 'B' of the PM-KUSUM Scheme, 5822 nos. of solar pumps have been installed in the State of Maharashtra and 1766 nos. of solar pumps have been installed in the State of Tamil Nadu. No existing agriculture pump has been solarized under component 'C' of the Scheme in the states of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Further, in absence of demand, no sanction could be made for the installation of solar pumps under PM-KUSUM in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- (e)  Following  provisions  of  the  PM-KUSUM  Scheme  aim  to  increase  country's  solar  water  pump manufacturing  capacity:  (i)  Target  of  installation  or  solarisation  of  35  lakh  pumps  through  central financial support under the Scheme provides visibility of demand in the coming years. (ii) Condition of domestic  content  requirement  for  participation  in  Component-B  and  Component-C.  (iii)  Direct participation of manufacturers of solar pumps/ solar photovoltaic modules/ solar pump controller either as sole bidder or member of a Joint Venture, in bidding under Component-B and Component-C.
- (f)  To  avoid  disruption  of the  groundwater table, particularly in the districts with depleted levels of ground water, installation of new solar pumps is not allowed under the Scheme in the dark zones/ areas notified  by  Central  Ground  Water  Board  (CGWB),  which  monitors  and  regulates  groundwater development and extraction. Only the existing diesel pumps can be replaced with solar pumps under Component-B and existing electric pumps can be solarized under Component-C in these areas provided they use micro-irrigation techniques to save water. Additionally, to conserve groundwater, the following provisions are included in the PM-KUSUM Scheme: (i) Preference for installation of standalone solar pumps and solarisation  of existing  agriculture  pumps  is  given  to  the  farmers  using  micro  irrigation systems or covered under micro irrigation schemes or those who opt for micro irrigation systems. (ii) The size of the standalone solar pump is to be selected on the basis of the water table in the area, land covered  and  quantity  of  water  required  for  irrigation.  (iii)  Farmers  have  the  option  to  monetize  the surplus power generated under individual grid-connected pump solarisation by selling it to the DISCOM. Further, under feeder level solarisation, farmers are incentivised for electricity consumption below the benchmark consumption.
- (g) The steps taken/being taken by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for decentralised solar power production include the following: (i) Installation of grid-connected solar power plants up to 2 MW capacity under Component A of PM-KUSUM Scheme (ii) Installation of standalone solar pumps under Component-B and solarisation of grid-connected agriculture pumps including through feeder level solarisation under Component-C of PM-KUSUM Scheme by providing Central Financial Assistance (CFA).  (iii) Promotion of rooftop solar under Solar Rooftop Phase II Programme by providing CFA in the residential sector and incentives to DISCOMs. (iv) Off-Grid & Decentralised Solar PV Applications Programme implemented during the years 2018-21 provided financial support for the installation of Solar Street Lights, Off-Grid Solar Power Plants and distribution of Solar Study Lamps.

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