Geothermal Wells: India’s First Deep Geothermal Energy Project

Subject: GS 3: Environment

Context: Recently, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh has commissioned India’s first and deepest geothermal wells at Puga Valley, Ladakh.

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Key Highlights about the Geothermal Wells

• Two wells, each 1,000 metres deep, drilled at an altitude of over 14,000 feet.
• A maximum temperature of 135°C was recorded at a depth of 400 metres, with further testing underway to find even higher temperatures.
• Pilot Geothermal Power Project: The wells will support India’s first 1 MW demonstration-scale geothermal power project, being implemented by the ONGC Energy Centre.
• Significance: The project is expected to serve as a blueprint for geothermal energy development in India, contribute to Ladakh’s carbon-neutral goal, diversify India’s renewable energy mix, and support Net Zero commitments.

About Geothermal Energy: (UPSC Prelims 2013)

• Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source derived from the natural heat stored beneath the Earth’s surface, used for electricity generation and direct heating.
• Source of Heat: The heat originates primarily from radioactive decay within the Earth and residual heat retained since the planet’s formation.
• Working Principle: Wells are drilled into geothermal reservoirs to extract hot water or steam, which drives turbines for electricity generation or is used directly for heating.

Types of Geothermal Resources

• Hydrothermal Systems: Naturally occurring hot water and steam reservoirs.
• Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS): Artificially engineered reservoirs in hot dry rocks.
• Geopressured Resources: Hot, pressurised brine reservoirs.
• Hot Dry Rock Resources: Deep underground rocks with high temperatures but limited natural water.

Puga Geothermal Field

• Location: Situated in the Changthang region of Leh district, Ladakh, within the Puga Valley.
• Geological Setting: Lies within the Himalayan Geothermal Belt, formed due to the collision of the Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate.
• Features: Characterised by hot springs, fumaroles, mud pools, sulphur deposits and steam vents, indicating active geothermal systems.
• Potential: Considered India’s most promising geothermal resource for electricity generation and direct heat applications.

Significance of Geothermal Energy

• Clean & Renewable Source: Provides continuous low-carbon energy with negligible greenhouse gas emissions.
• Base-load Power: Delivers 24×7 uninterrupted power, unlike solar and wind energy.
• Energy Security: Reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels and diversifies India’s renewable energy portfolio.
• Regional Development: Suitable for remote Himalayan regions, reducing reliance on diesel-based electricity generation.
• Multiple Applications: Supports space heating, greenhouses, aquaculture, industrial heating and tourism, besides electricity generation.

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Geothermal Energy Potential in India

• Estimated Potential: The Geological Survey of India (GSI), in its Geothermal Atlas of India, 2022, estimates India’s geothermal power potential at approximately 10,600 MW across 381 thermally anomalous areas.
• Pilot Projects: India’s first operational 20 kW geothermal power plant was commissioned by Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) at Manuguru, Telangana, using Binary Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology.

Challenges that need to be Addressed

• High Initial Investment: Exploration and deep drilling require significant capital with high geological uncertainty.
• Technological Constraints: Limited indigenous expertise in advanced geothermal drilling and reservoir management.
• Resource Exploration: Inadequate geological surveys and resource assessment.
• Remote Locations: Most resources are located in high-altitude and infrastructure-deficient regions.
• Policy Support: Absence of a dedicated National Geothermal Energy Policy has slowed commercial deployment.

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Way Forward

• National Policy: Formulate a dedicated National Geothermal Energy Policy with targeted financial incentives.
• Technology & Investment: Promote Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and international technology collaboration.
• Scale-up Projects: Expand pilot and demonstration projects before commercial deployment.
• Renewable Integration: Integrate geothermal energy into India’s renewable energy and Net Zero strategy.
• Capacity Building: Strengthen geological exploration, resource mapping and indigenous technological capabilities.

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