SchemesThursday, 3 September 2026·The Hindu - National
PM-KUSUM C in Karnataka: solarised pumps, 1,159.1 MW PPAs and 2,79,043 pumpsets
The PM-KUSUM C project in Karnataka solarises grid-connected agricultural pumps, with Bescom PPAs covering 1,159.1 MW and 2,79,043 pumpsets.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In 2026, the PM-KUSUM C project in Karnataka was highlighted through Bescom’s solarisation of agricultural water pumps, with projects at Nallimaradahalli, Kundana and Devanahalli supplying daytime power to farmers.
Key specifics
- PM-KUSUM C is a Government of India initiative that solarises existing grid-connected agricultural water pumpsets.
- Bescom said the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy sanctioned 2.62 lakh agricultural pumpsets, plus an additional 60,000 pumpsets.
- Bescom had executed PPAs for projects with a total capacity of 1,159.1 MW, covering 2,79,043 agricultural pump sets.
- The Nallimaradahalli 66 kV sub-station has a capacity of 13 MW and serves 3,000 farmers’ pumpsets across 27 villages.
- Other cited projects include Kundana at 3 MW covering 37 villages and Devanahalli at 13 MW covering 68 villages and 2,811 pumpsets.
Exam lens
Scheme-based MCQ: PM-KUSUM C, 2.62 lakh + 60,000 pumpsets, 1,159.1 MW, 2,79,043 pumpsets, 13 MW, 3 MW — TNPSC may ask the objective of solarising agricultural pumps and the role of MNRE/Bescom.