Zero takers in Karnataka for PM-KUSUM’s most lucrative solar scheme: Report
Mangaluru: Karnataka has failed to generate any demand under Component A of the PM-KUSUM scheme, the most lucrative part of the initiative that allows farmers to set up solar power plants of up to 2 MW on their land and sell surplus electricity to distribution companies.
Despite the potential for a steady income stream and the promotion of clean energy, the component has seen no uptake in the state, even six years after the scheme’s launch, as reported by The New Indian Express on Monday.
Launched in 2019, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme aims to reduce agriculture’s dependence on diesel, provide reliable solar power for irrigation, and improve farmers' income. The scheme is divided into three parts: Component A for decentralised solar plants, Component B for off-grid solar pumps, and Component C for solarising grid-connected agricultural pumps, including feeder-level solarisation.
A statement in Lok Sabha by Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy and Power, cited by TNIE, highlighted that while Components B and C have seen some progress in Karnataka, the overall implementation remains uneven and significantly below the sanctioned targets.
As of July 2025, Karnataka had been sanctioned 41,365 solar pumps under Component B, but only 2,388 have been installed. Similarly, under Component C (Feeder Level Solarisation), 6.28 lakh pumps were approved, but only 23,133 have been solarised. No demand has been raised for individual pump solarisation under Component C, underscoring underutilisation.
Despite these setbacks, some districts have shown a better adoption rate. Tumakuru leads the state with 6,160 grid-connected solar pumps, followed by Chikkaballapur (5,364) and Ramanagara (3,788). However, key agricultural districts like Belagavi, Kalaburagi, and Mysuru report almost negligible uptake, highlighting the inconsistency across the state.
On a national scale, Karnataka's performance remains modest, with 23,761 farmers benefiting from the PM-KUSUM scheme. This number pales in comparison to states like Maharashtra (7.27 lakh farmers), Gujarat (1.95 lakh), and Rajasthan (1.56 lakh), which have fully harnessed the potential of the scheme..
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Power tariffs under BESCOM to rise from May 1
Bengaluru (PTI): Power bills for consumers under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) will go up from May 1, following an order issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Friday.
The hike comes after KERC allowed the BESCOM to recover a revenue deficit of Rs 2,068 crore incurred in 2024-25, from the consumers.
As a result, for every unit of electricity consumed in 2024-25, the customers will be charged an additional 56 paise, it said.
"BESCOM shall calculate, for each of the active consumers of FY2024-25 the amount to be recovered based on their actual energy consumption during FY2024-25. Such amount shall be recovered during FY 2026-27 in equal monthly instalments, to be called as 'FY25 True up Charges', commencing from the first meter reading date falling on or after 1 May 2026 and concluding with the reading date ending on 30 April 2027," the order said.
"It is further ordered that BESCOM shall maintain a separate head of account, allocated for the purpose, to record the adjustment of the said amount to ensure full recovery of the deficit," it added.
Similarly Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has also recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 121.71 crore and can collect an additional 15 paisa per unit for consumption in 2024-25, official sources said.
