PM-KUSUM scheme (Government Schemes & Initiatives)
PM-KUSUM scheme (Government Schemes & Initiatives)
Why In News:
The rapid expansion of solar-powered irrigation under PM-KUSUM has renewed the focus over whether cheap solar energy could encourage excessive groundwater extraction.
About the Scheme
PM-KUSUM stands for Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan and was launched in 2019 by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
The scheme seeks to increase the use of renewable energy in agriculture, reduce farmers’ dependence on conventional electricity and diesel, and provide an additional source of income through decentralised solar power generation.
The PM-KUSUM Scheme and agricultural stakeholders:
Individual farmers
Groups of farmers
Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
Panchayats
Cooperative societies
Water User Associations (WUAs)
Components of PM-KUSUM
* Component-A: Setting up of 10,000 MW of Decentralized Ground/ Stilt Mounted Grid-Connected Solar or other Renewable Energy based Power Plants.
* Component-B: Installation of 14 Lakh Stand-alone Solar Agriculture Pumps.
* Component-C: Solarisation of 35 Lakh Grid Connected Agriculture Pumps including Feeder Level Solarization.
Rapid Expansion of PM-KUSUM
Groundwater depletion: Intensive irrigation and subsidised electricity have contributed to excessive groundwater extraction in several agricultural regions, making sustainable water management a key concern.
Rapid solar pump deployment: PM-KUSUM has facilitated the installation of more than 10 lakh standalone solar agricultural pumps across the country.
Large-scale pump solarisation: Over 13 lakh grid-connected agricultural pumps have also been solarised, reducing dependence on conventional electricity.
From Annadata to Urjadata: Solarisation can transform farmers from “Annadatas” (food providers) to “Urjadatas” (energy providers) by enabling them to sell surplus solar power to DISCOMs.
Groundwater–solarisation link: As solar power lowers the marginal cost of irrigation, unrestricted pumping could encourage groundwater over-extraction unless supported by metering, groundwater regulation and suitable incentives.
PM-KUSUM 2.0: The proposed next phase includes a 10 GW dedicated Agri-PV component, enabling solar panels to be integrated with agricultural land so that farming and electricity generation can occur simultaneously.