Question : KUSUM Scheme

(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?

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.
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