Centre approves Rs 531 crore CFA for Rajasthan PM-KUSUM projects
The central government has approved Rs 531 crore in Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for 553 solar power producers operating under Component-C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme in Rajasthan.
According to a senior official of the state energy department, the approved assistance will be released shortly through the Ajmer and Jodhpur electricity distribution companies (Discoms) and transferred directly to the bank accounts of eligible energy providers.
Discom-wise allocation
The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has sanctioned Rs 379.41 crore for 432 solar power producers connected to Jodhpur Discom. These projects represent a combined installed capacity of 429 MW.
Ajmer Discom has received approval for Rs 151.21 crore covering 121 solar power producers with a total project capacity of 169 MW.
Agricultural feeder solarisation
Component-C of the PM-KUSUM scheme is designed to support solarisation of grid-connected agricultural pumps and create additional income opportunities for farmers.
Under the programme, decentralised solar power plants of up to 5 MW capacity are established on barren or unused land located within a 5-kilometre radius of electricity substations.
The model enables farmers and local power producers to supply electricity to agricultural feeders and sell surplus power to Discoms. The scheme is also intended to strengthen rural electricity infrastructure and reduce dependence on conventional power sources.
Under PM-KUSUM Component-C, developers undertaking complete agricultural feeder solarisation are eligible for central financial support of up to 30% of the project cost, depending on plant capacity. The CFA is capped at Rs 1.05 crore per MW.
Rajasthan capacity
Rajasthan has emerged as one of the leading states in implementing decentralised solar projects under PM-KUSUM Component-C.
A total of 1,312 decentralised solar projects with a combined capacity of 3,371 MW have been commissioned across the state. Of the total installed capacity, Jodhpur Discom accounts for 2,647 MW, followed by Ajmer Discom with 373 MW and Jaipur Discom with 352 MW.
The state currently ranks third in the country in decentralised solar power projects under Component-C of PM-KUSUM.
Claims and disbursement
Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Ajmer Discoms have collectively submitted CFA claims worth Rs 1,012 crore to MNRE.
Out of this amount, around Rs 670 crore has already been released by the central government, benefiting 720 solar power producers in Rajasthan.
The featured photograph is for representation only.
