Latest news with #PradhanMantriKisanUrjaSurakshaevamUtthaanMahabhiyaan
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Centre extends Kusum-C solarproject deadline to March 2026
Bengaluru: Facing multiple hurdles in going ahead with the centrally sponsored PM-Kusum-C solar project, the state govt received a shot in the arm with the Centre extending the deadline for its implementation to March 2026. Launched a year ago, Karnataka was supposed to solarise 389 power substations under all five electricity supply companies (Escoms) by Dec 2024. However, the state govt commissioned only about 15 stations, while the work on 370 plus substations is still in progress under PM-Kusum-C (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan). CM Siddaramaiah is scheduled to inaugurate one of the commissioned stations at Gauribidanur in Chikkaballapur district Thursday. The slow pace of the project in Karnataka is largely attributed to the delay in identifying and acquiring suitable land for setting up solar plants. "The solar plants need to be within a radius of 5-10km from substations, making it easier for the evacuation of power. While in some villages there was govt land, in some other villages, the govt land was not suitable for setting up solar plants, and we had to acquire private land on a lease basis. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Even if there was land, the project agency spent considerable time levelling the ground for setting up solar plants. These hurdles in getting suitable land impacted the project considerably," explained a senior energy department official. This apart, drawing of transmission lines also turned out to be a major hindrance. "In a few substation limits, the lines had to be drawn over private lands, and farmers were sceptical that they couldn't cultivate any fruit-bearing trees if they allowed any transmission lines over their fields or demanded compensation to allow installation of concrete poles to set up transmission lines... We had to bypass such fields, and eventually, project implementing agencies had to take transmission lines underground at some locations," explained another engineer. Acknowledging the delay in the availability of land, energy minister KJ George said efforts were made in every district by taking MLAs into confidence. "I agree that we could commission only a few of the substations. But nearly 90 per cent of the work is in various stages, and in a month or two, they will also be completed, and generation will start," the minister explained.
The Hindu
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Chief Minister to inaugurate Kusum-C project on June 11
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan (PM KUSUM)–C project, which will provide farmers with reliable daytime electricity by installing solar units near agricultural electricity feeders will be officially launched by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on June 11 at Gauribidanur of Chikkaballapura district, said Energy Minister K.J. George. Speaking at a curtain raiser press conference on Monday, he said, 'Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and Consumer Affairs, Food and Ration Distribution Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Nayak, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Ministers Krishna Byre Gowda, M.C. Sudhakar, and others will be participated.' The KUSUM–C scheme aims to provide farmers with reliable daytime electricity by installing solar units near agricultural electricity feeders. These units will generate power locally, which will then be supplied to agricultural pump sets through the feeders. This localized generation ensures the delivery of high-quality power, the Minister noted. In Gauribidanur taluk's Thondebhavi Hobli, a 20 MW solar unit has been established across approximately 60 acres in the villages of Hanumenahalli and Charakamattenahalli. This is the largest solar installation under the KUSUM–C scheme in Karnataka to date, which is why Gauribidanur was chosen for the scheme's official launch. The land for the project has been leased from private owners for a period of 25 years, he added. Further the Minister stated that, the KUSUM–C scheme, introduced four to five years ago, was initially put on hold in the State. However, after our government came to power, we decided to implement the scheme and invited tenders. The central government provides a subsidy of ₹1.05 crore for generating 1 mw of solar power, which significantly reduces the cost of establishment of the Solar Power System for the RESCO developers. 'The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission has fixed a maximum rate of ₹3.17 per unit of electricity, ensuring affordable and reliable power supply for farmers. In the first phase of the scheme, we aim to generate 2,400 megawatts of solar electricity through the solarisation of agricultural feeders. This will provide quality daytime electricity to around 6,19,000 (6 lakh 19 thousand) agrarian pump sets, significantly reducing their energy costs and ensuring a reliable power supply,' he explained.
