UP Govt Targets 30,000 Solar Pumps at Rs 434 Cr for 2023-24 Under PM KUSUM Yojana

In a bid to address the major energy demands of Uttar Pradesh while prioritizing clean energy solutions, the state government, under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has unveiled an ambitious plan to deploy over 30,000 solar photovoltaic irrigation pumps.

The initiative falls under the leadership of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) Yojana.

An official statement released by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) confirmed that the Uttar Pradesh government is completely committed to achieving this target during the financial year 2023-24. A substantial investment of Rs 434 crore will be allocated for this purpose, with both the state and central governments sharing the financial burden equally, amounting to Rs 217.84 crore each.

The responsibility for executing this monumental project has been entrusted to the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Agency (UPNEDA). Through this initiative, a state-of-the-art clean energy-based irrigation system will be extended to farmers across all 75 districts, facilitated by the installation of surface and submersible solar pumps, as highlighted in the official statement.

The Yogi government has aimed to install 30,000 solar photovoltaic irrigation pumps aligns with the guidelines set forth by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of the Government of India. These guidelines stipulate that 60 percent of the benchmark installation cost of standalone solar pumps, ranging up to 7.5 HP in capacity, will be provided as a grant. This grant will be a combined effort, with the center and state contributing 30 percent each.

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Farmers keen on availing themselves of the benefits of standalone solar pumps, under the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund, have the option to secure the necessary funding by obtaining a bank loan. Remarkably, both the state and central governments have pledged to contribute 3 percent each toward the total interest rebate of 6 percent on these loans, reducing the financial burden on farmers, as stated in the official release.

Furthermore, the statement emphasized that the deployment of these solar pumps is not merely a government initiative but a significant step towards empowering farmers to embrace eco-friendly and cost-effective energy solutions. This move is poised to make a substantial contribution to environmental conservation by mitigating the massive threat of climate change and reducing carbon emissions within the region.

Also, it is anticipated to result in reduced irrigation expenses for farmers who will gradually reduce their reliance on electricity and diesel for their agricultural operations. The selection process for farmers eligible to participate in this transformative initiative will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the statement.

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As specified in the release it was said that recently a revised action plan was revealed that included that UPNEDA will oversee the installation of various solar pump variants, encompassing 1800 W 2 HP DC and AC surface and submersible pumps, 3000 W 3 HP DC-AC submersible pumps, 4800 W 5 HP AC submersible pumps, 6750 W 7.5 HP AC submersible pumps, and 9000 W 10 HP AC submersible pumps

To avail themselves of this groundbreaking scheme, interested individuals are required to register on the Agriculture Department's website, www.upagriculture.com. Following registration, farmers can select the pump specifications and categories for which they wish to apply. Subsequently, tokens will be allocated to farmers on a first-come, first-served basis.

As part of the application procedure, farmers must submit a Rs 5000 online token deposit. The statement emphasized that subsidies for solar pump installations will be distributed according to district-specific targets, reaffirming the government's dedication to providing a greener and sustainable future in Uttar Pradesh.

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