Ladakh Takes First Step into Geothermal Power

First two geothermal wells commissioned in Puga Valley; India has identified 381 hot springs and theoretical potential of 10.6 GW

New Delhi, September 5: Ladakh has emerged as the focal point of India’s first major geothermal power initiative, with the commissioning of the country’s first two geothermal wells in Puga Valley, while the latest Union government overview does not specifically mention Jammu and Kashmir among the locations covered by its current geothermal projects.

The two wells, commissioned by the ONGC Energy Centre in July 2026, are located at an altitude of more than 14,000 feet in Puga Valley, one of India’s most promising geothermal areas. Each well has been drilled to a depth of 1,000 metres and will be used for reservoir evaluation, paving the way for a proposed 1-megawatt demonstration geothermal power project.

The development marks a significant step in India’s efforts to diversify its renewable energy mix with a source that can generate energy continuously, unlike solar and wind power, which are dependent on weather and daylight conditions.

The Union government, in an overview released by the Press Information Bureau, said India’s geothermal resources could provide a steady, low-carbon and indigenous source of energy as the country moves towards its Net Zero target by 2070.

Ladakh at centre of India’s geothermal journey

The Puga Valley project represents India’s transition from geothermal resource assessment towards actual field-level demonstration.

The region is known for its hot springs and underground heat reserves, making it particularly suitable for geothermal exploration. The two newly commissioned wells are expected to provide critical information about the geothermal reservoir and help determine the feasibility of larger-scale power generation.

The government notified the National Policy on Geothermal Energy in September 2025, with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) designated as the nodal ministry for implementation.

The policy seeks to promote systematic exploration and development of geothermal resources, including research, drilling, reservoir management, direct-use applications and Ground Source Heat Pumps for heating and cooling.

J&K absent from current project list

While Ladakh figures prominently in the Centre’s geothermal development programme, Jammu and Kashmir has not been specifically identified in the list of government-supported geothermal projects outlined in the latest document.

The government’s overview notes that India has 381 mapped hot springs and 10 geothermal provinces, including the Himalayan Geothermal Province. It estimates the country’s theoretical geothermal potential at approximately 10.6 GW, with 42 sites identified as promising for power generation and direct heat applications.

The Himalayan region, which extends across a broad geographical area, has significant geothermal characteristics. However, the latest list of specific projects highlighted by the government names locations in Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh and Telangana, apart from the Puga Valley initiative in Ladakh.

India maps 10 geothermal provinces

According to the government, India’s geothermal resources are distributed across 10 major provinces: Himalayan, Naga-Lusai, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Son-Narmada-Tapi (SONATA), West Coast, Cambay Graben, Aravalli, Mahanadi, Godavari and South Indian Cratonic regions.

Geothermal energy is generated from heat stored beneath the Earth’s surface. In areas with suitable geological conditions, wells can be drilled to access hot water and steam, which can then be used to drive turbines and generate electricity.

The technology can also be used directly for district heating, agriculture, aquaculture and heating and cooling applications.

Unlike conventional thermal power generation, geothermal power does not require fuel combustion. Hot water or steam drawn from underground reservoirs can drive turbines, after which the water can be condensed and reinjected into the reservoir.

Projects underway across India

The government’s geothermal programme includes several research and demonstration projects.

At Ankleshwar in Gujarat, a pilot project is examining the possibility of generating electricity by retrofitting unproductive oil and gas wells.

At Gandhinagar, a demonstration project combining solar and geothermal energy has drilled three geothermal wells producing geothermal fluid at temperatures of 70–80°C and has demonstrated electricity generation of 50–90 kilowatts.

In Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, studies are being undertaken at five geothermal sites to assess resources through field investigations and geochemical analysis.

A project in Hyderabad, Telangana, is developing a geothermal cooling system for air-conditioning applications, while another pilot study is examining shallow geothermal systems using borehole heat exchangers for heating and cooling.

Potential beyond electricity generation

The government said geothermal energy’s applications extend beyond power generation. Direct use of geothermal heat could support agriculture, aquaculture, space heating and cooling and potentially geo-tourism.

It also sees potential in repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal applications, subject to technical and operational feasibility. Such projects could make use of existing drilling expertise, geological data and infrastructure.

The MNRE has also sanctioned five research and development projects covering resource assessment, indigenous technology development and field demonstrations.

Policy seeks greater private participation

The National Policy on Geothermal Energy, 2025 aims to create a regulatory framework for greater public and private sector participation in the sector.

It also provides for a national geothermal data repository, pilot projects and Centres of Excellence, besides encouraging research into technologies such as Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and Advanced Geothermal Systems (AGS) that could expand geothermal exploration beyond naturally accessible reservoirs.

India is also pursuing international cooperation on geothermal energy with Australia, Iceland and Saudi Arabia, with the partnerships intended to support technology development, research and knowledge exchange.

Globally, geothermal power capacity stood at 15.67 GW at the end of 2025, with Indonesia, the United States, the Philippines, Türkiye and New Zealand accounting for around two-thirds of global installed capacity.

For India, the commissioning of the Puga Valley wells marks the beginning of a new phase in geothermal development. While commercial-scale geothermal power generation is still at an early stage, the government says the growing number of pilot projects, resource assessments and technology initiatives could help establish geothermal energy as another component of the country’s renewable energy portfolio.