Question : Solar Pumps Installed under PM-KUSUM

the number of solar pumps installed under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) in Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Maharashtra, especially in Nagpur-Ramtek region;
(b) the details of funds provided to the farmers for installation of solar pumps;
(c) the quantum of surplus electricity sold to the power distribution companies by the farmers in the said State/UTs;
(d) the details of the size of agricultural land of farmers who installed such solar pumps under the PM-KUSUM;
(e) the details of the ‘dark zones’ identified under the PM-KUSUM along with the criteria laid down for the identification of such zones, State/UT-wise and the number of solar pumps installed/converted in the said ‘dark zones’; and
(f) the quantum of electricity generated by the farmers in these zones in the said State/UTs along with the revenue earned therefrom?

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

(SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA)
(a) to (f) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (f) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 72 (Priority No. 12) to be answered on 21.07.2022 regarding Solar Pumps Installed under PM-KUSUM
(a) to (f) Under PM-KUSUM Scheme support for solar pumps is provided under Component-B and Component-C. Under Component-B, support is provided for installation of standalone solar pumps. Under Component-C, support is provided for solarization of existing grid-connected agriculture pumps, including agriculture feeder solarization.
PM-KUSUM is a demand driven Scheme and therefore quantities of solar pumps are allocated to the States/ UTs based on demand received from the State Government/ UT Administration. In absence of demand, solar pumps have not so far been allocated to the UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. In the State of Maharashtra, 100,000 nos. of solar pumps have been sanctioned under the Component-B of the Scheme, out of which 7713 nos. of solar pumps have been installed as on 18.07.2022. Of these, 92 nos. of solar pumps have been installed in Nagpur and 11 nos. of solar pumps have been installed in Ramtek taluka of Nagpur.
Under Component-B & C of the Scheme, 30% of the benchmark cost or the price discovered through the tender, whichever is lower, is provided by the Central Government and at least an equivalent amount is provided by the concerned State Government. Till date, Ministry has released Rs. 672 Crore to various States for installation of standalone solar pumps.
As solar pumps installed in the State of Maharashtra are off-grid i.e. these are not connected to the grid, no electricity could be sold to the power distribution companies and, therefore, no revenue is earned by the farmers through selling surplus electricity to the power producing companies. However, farmers save through avoided diesel consumption by installing standalone solar pumps.
Based on the information provided by the State of Maharashtra, average land holding size with farmers who have installed solar pumps under PM-KUSUM Scheme is 3.2 acre.
Dark zones (areas with over-exploited ground water resources) are identified by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) in association with the State ground water organisations. The ground water resources are assessed in units i.e blocks/ talukas/ mandals/ watersheds. These assessment units are categorized for ground water development based on two criteria - a) stage of ground water development, and b) long-term pre and post monsoon water levels. CGWB has notified 162 Over-exploited areas in the country for regulation of ground water development and management. State/ UT-wise details of the pumps installed/ converted in the dark zones is placed at Annexure.
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