CCEA approves KUSUM scheme for harnessing solar power in rural areas

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahaabhiyan (KUSUM) scheme for harnessing solar power in rural areas. The scope of work includes the installation of grid-connected solar power plants with a combined capacity of 10 GW in rural areas (with each plant having a capacity less than 2 MW), the installation of 1.75 million stand-alone off-grid solar water pumps for meeting the irrigation needs of farmers and the solarisation of existing 1 million grid-connected agricultural pumps for making farmers independent of grid supply and also for enabling them to earn extra income by selling surplus solar power to distribution companies (discoms). The scheme, with a total central financial assistance of Rs 344.22 billion, is aimed at adding 25,750 MW of solar capacity by 2022.