Manipur to Launch Solar Power Project for Agriculture, 30% Subsidy for Installation

Manipur is set to launch a first-of-its-kind solar power project for agriculture under Component C (Individual Pump Solarisation) of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM Kusum Yojana). The project will receive a 30% subsidy for the solar plants from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. (KREDL) and Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) have reissued a tender for solarizing agriculture feeders after no bids were received in three previous attempts.

The total proposed solar capacity for the project is 1,302.31 MW and a total of 806 agri feeders will be solarised across 248 sub-stations at a cost of ₹4,558.09 crore.

This initiative is set to have a positive impact on more than 1.3 million farmers in Manipur, potentially cutting their electricity expenses by as much as half. Additionally, it will play a significant role in decreasing the state's reliance on non-renewable energy sources and making strides toward achieving its renewable energy targets.

The project is being implemented by the Manipur Renewable Energy Development Agency (MREDA) and is expected to be completed within two years.

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The PM Kusum Yojana is a central government scheme that aims to promote solar power generation in the agricultural sector. The scheme has three components:-

• Component A: Installation of 10,000 MW of solar power plants on barren land.

• Component B: Deployment of 1.75 million independent solar-operated agricultural pumps.

• Component C: Conversion of 1 million grid-connected agricultural pumps into solar-powered systems.

KREDL and Bescom had previously called for tenders for the solarization of agriculture feeders in the State to power irrigation pump (IP) sets, but there were no takers. The tenders failed partly due to a ceiling tariff set at ₹2.32 by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC). Even when tenders were invited without a ceiling tariff, there were no takers. However, following requests from KREDL and Bescom, KERC revised the ceiling tariff to ₹3.17 on September 6, leading to the issuance of fresh tenders.

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The Manipur project is a significant step towards achieving the goals of the PM Kusum Yojana. It will demonstrate the feasibility of large-scale solar power generation for agriculture. The project is also a welcome step for the farmers of Manipur. It will help to reduce their electricity costs, improve their incomes, and make agriculture more sustainable.

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