Geothermal Energy in India

GS3 – Environment

 

Context:

The Uttarakhand Cabinet has approved the Geothermal Energy Policy 2025 as part of its broader push towards clean and sustainable energy.

Key Highlights of the Policy:

• Purpose:
  Promote energy security, reduce carbon emissions, and encourage community development via geothermal energy.
• Tenure:
  Projects to be allotted for 30 years from commissioning.
• Allocation:
  Both PSUs and private players can bid competitively for project rights.

National Geothermal Energy Policy Goals:

• Objective:
  Build a safe, sustainable, and secure geothermal energy sector in India.
• Target:
  Generate 10 GW of geothermal energy by 2030.
• R&D Focus:
  • Explore geothermal energy potential.
  • Promote power generation and geo-exchange pumps for heating/cooling.
• Global Collaboration:
  Engage with countries like the USA, Indonesia, Philippines, Mexico, and New Zealand to:
  • Attract foreign investment.
  • Facilitate technology transfer.
  • Enable capacity building.

India’s Geothermal Potential:

• Source:
  Natural heat from hot springs.
• Identified Sites:
  381 thermally anomalous locations, as per Geological Survey of India (GSI).

• Potential Output:
  Approximately 10,600 MW, capable of powering 10 million households.
• Flagship Project:
  Puga Valley Project in Ladakh – India’s first and the world’s highest geothermal project (14,000 ft elevation).