Centre Sanctions 5000 MW Additional Solar Allocation to Rajasthan
Source:the-statesman ↗
Why It Matters
The PM-KUSUM scheme, solar energy targets, and associated institutions (like RRECL) are highly tested themes in RPSC RAS Prelims. A massive new 5,000 MW allocation under PM-KUSUM represents a major development in Rajasthan's energy infrastructure and green transition.
Summary
The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has sanctioned an additional 5,000 MW of renewable energy capacity to Rajasthan under the PM-KUSUM Scheme. This allocation, approved following a meeting between Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Union Minister Prahlad Joshi on January 7, 2025, aims to accelerate solar energy development and agriculture-feeder solarisation across the state.
Key Points
- The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) sanctioned an additional 5,000 MW renewable energy allocation to Rajasthan under the PM-KUSUM Scheme.
- This special allocation was approved following a meeting on January 7, 2025, in New Delhi between Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Prahlad Joshi.
- The allocation is primarily aimed at feeder-level solarisation under the PM-KUSUM framework, which helps supply daytime solar electricity to farmers and lowers agricultural subsidy burdens.
- Rajasthan is a pioneer in solar energy, hosting the nation's first grid-connected agriculture-based PM-KUSUM plant in Bhaloji village (Kotputli, Jaipur), and utilizing RRECL as its state nodal agency.
Important Terms
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme
A flagship central scheme launched in 2019 to de-dieselise the agricultural sector, install off-grid solar pumps, solarise agricultural feeders, and establish grid-connected solar plants.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Agriculture & Infrastructure); tests knowledge of schemes aimed at doubling farmers' income and achieving renewable energy targets.
PM-KUSUM Component A
A specific component of PM-KUSUM focusing on setting up decentralized, ground-mounted, grid-connected solar power plants (0.5 to 2 MW) on barren/fallow land, primarily near local substations.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Renewable Energy); tests understanding of decentralized power generation, grid-stabilization, and farmer-entrepreneurship models.
Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy, 2019
A subnational policy succeeded by the 2023 Policy and 2024 Integrated Clean Energy Policy, which initially targeted 30,000 MW of solar power capacity in Rajasthan by 2024-25.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (State Policies & Infrastructure); tests state-level initiatives and policy transitions to reach national climate targets.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
The nodal ministry of the Government of India responsible for formulating policies and implementing programs to promote solar, wind, biomass, and small-hydro energy.
UPSC context
GS Paper II (Ministries & Departments); tests understanding of institutional frameworks guiding India's clean energy goals.
Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited (RRECL)
The state nodal agency of Rajasthan, formed by merging REDA and RSPCL, tasked with promoting renewable energy, energy conservation, and green power projects.
UPSC context
GS Paper II (State Institutions); tests knowledge of state-level implementation agencies executing national and regional solar-wind policies.
Prelims Trap
PM-KUSUM is administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and offers 100% Central Government funding for standalone solar pumps.
It is administered solely by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The standard Central Financial Assistance is capped at 30%, not 100%.
Static Concepts Connected
What are the three components of the PM-KUSUM scheme?
- Component A: Decentralized ground-mounted grid-connected solar power plants (500 kW to 2 MW) setup on barren/fallow lands.
- Component B: Installation of standalone solar agriculture pumps to replace diesel-run pumps in off-grid areas.
- Component C: Solarisation of existing grid-connected agricultural pumps, which includes the cost-effective Feeder-Level Solarisation.
How does Feeder-Level Solarisation (FLS) benefit the power sector?
- Economies of Scale: Solarises entire agricultural electricity feeders at once, utilizing commercial-scale solar plants instead of expensive individual pump installations.
- Subsidy Reduction: Enables DISCOMs to supply cheap, reliable daytime power to farmers, drastically reducing state agricultural subsidy outlays.
Cross-Topic Patterns
Solar pumps and groundwater depletion
Free solar power removes the marginal cost of pumping, risking accelerated groundwater depletion unless strictly integrated with micro-irrigation and smart-metering policies.
Feeder solarisation and DISCOM debt reforms
Transitioning agricultural feeders to solar directly reduces state power subsidies, easing the fiscal strain on DISCOMs and aligning with structural FRBM fiscal deficit targets.
PM-KUSUM's three components and the fiscal mechanics of feeder-level solarisation (FLS) are highly likely to be tested in 2026.
Linked PYQs · 4
Linked PYQs · 4
- 2023RPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Which agency has been given the responsibility of implementing the PM-KUSUM scheme (Component A) in Rajasthan, which involves the establishment of solar power plants with a capacity of 0.5 MW to 2 MW?
- 2021RPSC_PRELIMSGS1
In which village of Rajasthan was India's first agriculture-based “KUSUM” solar energy plant project launched?
- 2021RPSC_PRELIMSGS1
In which year was the Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy announced?
- 2012RPSC_PRELIMSGS1
The first solar energy policy was announced by the Government of Rajasthan in -
