Rajasthan DISCOMs Push 9.6 GW Solar Under PM-KUSUM to Meet RPO Targets

Rajasthan’s power distribution companies are ramping up solar deployment under the central PM-KUSUM scheme, promoting a combined 9.6 GW of solar capacity through installed, commissioned, and tendered projects to meet their renewable energy commitments under the RPO framework.

The 9.6 GW includes the various projects undertaken by the government as briefed by the Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy of India, Shripad Naik, under various components of the PM-KUSUM scheme. He said, "Under Component-A of PM-KUSUM, 489 no. Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) of 602 MW capacity have been signed, and 457 MW capacity has been commissioned to date."

While sharing this data in a written reply before the parliament, he said, "Under Component-C of the PM-KUSUM scheme, Rajasthan DISCOMs signed 1,696 PPAs of 4,300 MW. Generation has commenced from 850 MW projects under this scheme. Additionally, tenders are being issued for setting up solar projects of 4,700 MW under PM-KUSUM A in the state."

The minister further explained, "As a result of the implementation of various reform measures, the AT&C losses of utilities in Rajasthan have declined from 26.23% in FY21 to 22.08% in FY24."

He added that the government launched the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) in July 2021 to improve the quality and reliability of power supply to consumers through a financially sustainable and operationally efficient distribution sector. "Under RDSS, projects worth Rs. 18,693 crore and Rs. 9,715 crore for distribution infrastructure and smart metering works, respectively, have been sanctioned for the state," the minister added.

Additionally, according to the State Implementing Agencies (SIAs) report, as of July 30, 2025, a total of 14,39,060 farmers have benefited under the scheme through the installation or solarization of agricultural pumps, out of the 49 lakh pumps sanctioned.

Measures Taken by the Rajasthan Govt & Its Impact

The Government of India has also emphasized the segregation of mixed-load feeders with more than 30% agricultural load into separate agricultural and non-agricultural feeders. Based on the information shared by the minister, these measures aim to provide better management of daytime power supply for farmers while reducing overall supply costs.

In his written response, he said, "Under RDSS, the segregation of 12,835 agriculture feeders at an estimated cost of Rs. 10,201 crore has been sanctioned for Rajasthan. Of these, 248 feeders have already been segregated, and segregation work on 12,587 feeders is in progress. The work is expected to be completed within the scheme period by March 2028."

He further added, "The implementation of these sanctioned works is expected to enhance the reliability and quality of power supply to both agricultural and non-agricultural consumers in rural areas, particularly in regions like Jhalawar-Baran, Kota-Bundi, and other parts of rural Rajasthan."

Farmers Benefited Under the Scheme

In a separate data shared by Pralhad Joshi, the minister of New and Renewable Energy and Consumer Affairs, and Food & Public Distribution, mentioned, "PM-KUSUM is a demand-driven scheme, with capacities allocated based on proposals received from States and Union Territories. Implementation, including the selection of beneficiaries, is the responsibility of the SIAs."

The minister shared a state-wise list of solar plants installed under Component A, along with details of the number of farmers who benefited from the installation or solarization of pumps under Components B and C. The data showed that a total of 557 solar plants were installed under Component A, while 1,439,060 pumps were installed or solarized under Components B and C.

Additionally, the minister noted improvements in power supply to rural and agricultural consumers. He stated, "In rural areas, Rajasthan DISCOMs provided, on average, 21 to 23 hours of single-phase power supply to domestic consumers and six hours of three-phase block supply to agricultural consumers."