Why in the News?
On March 28, 2026, the Central Government announced the extension of timelines for existing projects under the PM-KUSUM scheme. Simultaneously, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) revealed that it is formulating PM-KUSUM 2.0, which may feature a major technical shift: the inclusion of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
Need for Battery Storage in PM-KUSUM 2.0
The primary driver for incorporating battery storage is the divergence between solar power availability and agricultural load patterns:
- Load Demand: Agricultural power demand typically rises in the morning and remains steady throughout the day, often persisting after sunset.
- Solar Generation: Peaks around noon and tapers off sharply toward the evening.
- The Solution: BESS will store surplus solar power generated during peak sunlight hours to be used when generation falls but irrigation demand continues, thereby improving grid stability and ensuring reliable daytime power for farmers.
- Policy Debate: The Ministry of Power has suggested up to four hours of battery storage, while the MNRE has proposed a two-hour capacity for the initial rollout.
What is PM-KUSUM?
- Launched in March 2019, PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan) is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
- Its primary goal is to provide energy security to Indian farmers while de-dieselizing the agricultural sector and increasing farmers’ income through solar power.
Current Progress of PM-KUSUM (as of Feb 2026)
While the target was 34.8 GW by March 2026, the actual implementation has been slower:
| Component | Target/Objective | Progress (Approx. Feb 2026) |
| Component A | 10,000 MW Decentralized Solar Plants | 839.4 MW installed |
| Component B | Standalone Solar Pumps (Off-grid) | Over 10 lakh pumps installed |
| Component C | Solarization of Grid-connected Pumps | 6,636.9 MW total (IPS + FLS) |
| Total Progress | 34.8 GW (Target) | 12,164 MW (Actual Installed) |
| [2024] Consider the following: 1 Battery storage 2 Biomass generators 3 Fuel cells 4 Rooftop solar photovoltaic units How many of the above are considered “Distributed Energy Resources”? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four |
