India Prepares PM-KUSUM 2.0 as Solar Irrigation Program Faces Groundwater Challenges
Quick Brief
Over the past five years, India has installed more than 2.5 million solar pumps through the PM-KUSUM agricultural solar program with the help of government subsidies. As policymakers develop PM-KUSUM 2.0, a central challenge is balancing the clean energy transition with preventing the over-exploitation of groundwater.
What Happened?
India's agricultural solar program, PM-KUSUM, has successfully deployed over 2.5 million subsidized solar pumps to smallholder farmers over a five-year period. With the government now preparing the next phase of the initiative, known as PM-KUSUM 2.0, attention has turned to addressing the environmental challenge of groundwater over-extraction tied to solar irrigation.
Why It Matters
While the PM-KUSUM program advances India's clean energy transition and makes irrigation affordable for smallholder farmers, unchecked use of solar pumps risks severely depleting local groundwater resources, threatening long-term agricultural sustainability.
Key Facts
- India's PM-KUSUM program has installed over 2.5 million solar pumps in five years.
- The program utilizes government subsidies to make solar pumps affordable for smallholder farmers.
- Policymakers are currently preparing the next iteration of the program, designated as PM-KUSUM 2.0.
- A primary challenge for the upcoming phase is preventing the over-exploitation of groundwater while promoting clean energy.
What Happens Next?
The government is preparing to launch PM-KUSUM 2.0 to address clean energy and groundwater challenges.
Compiled from 1 outlet
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