Introduction

Geothermal energy uses the Earth’s internal heat to generate power and provide direct heating/cooling. It is renewable, low-carbon and available round the clock.

Potential

• 6 GW theoretical potential → significant untapped resource.
• 381 hot springs mapped across 10 geothermal provinces.
• Puga Valley, Ladakh → first two geothermal wells commissioned.
• Applications → electricity + heating/cooling + agriculture + aquaculture + geo-tourism.

Challenges

• High exploration and drilling costs → commercial viability concerns.
• Limited domestic expertise → reservoir management and advanced technology gaps.
• Difficult terrain → infrastructure and accessibility issues.
• Environmental risks → induced seismicity, water management and disposal of geothermal fluids.
• Low deployment → commercial-scale projects still limited.

Government Initiatives

• National Policy on Geothermal Energy, 2025 → framework for exploration and development.
• R&D support → indigenous geothermal technologies and pilot projects.
• GSHPs, EGS and AGS → expand applications and resource potential.
• Abandoned oil/gas wells → potential geothermal reuse.
• International cooperation → Australia, Iceland and Saudi Arabia.

Way Forward

• Resource mapping → exploratory drilling → pilot projects → commercial deployment.
• Promote PPP and risk-sharing mechanisms → reduce investment risks.
• Develop indigenous drilling and reservoir technologies → lower costs.
• Integrate geothermal with solar and other renewables → improve energy reliability.

Conclusion

Geothermal energy can complement solar and wind by providing reliable, indigenous clean energy → strengthening India’s energy security and supporting the Net Zero 2070 goal.