India's First Geothermal Wells Commissioned in Puga Valley

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Why in News

India has commissioned its first and deepest geothermal wells at Puga Valley in Ladakh, marking a major step toward clean energy transition and Ladakh's carbon-neutral target.

Location and Depth: Both wells are drilled to a depth of 1,000 metres at an elevation of over 14,000 feet in Puga Valley, which is one of India's most promising geothermal sites.
Power Generation Target: The wells will power a proposed 1 MW pilot geothermal power plant, serving as India's first demonstration-scale geothermal power project.
Working Principle: The project taps heat stored naturally beneath the Earth to generate reliable renewable electricity 24 hours a day, unlike weather-dependent solar or wind energy.
Temperature Recorded: Engineers measured a maximum temperature of 135°C at a depth of 400 metres, and further tests are evaluating higher underground temperatures and commercial potential.
Executing Agency: The ONGC Energy Centre is implementing this project in collaboration with the Ladakh Administration and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh.

Location: Puga Valley is located in the south-eastern Changthang region of Ladakh, roughly 22 km from the Salt Lake Valley.
Natural Features: Renowned for its picturesque landscape and geothermal activity, the valley is especially famous for its natural hot sulphur springs.

Concept: Geothermal energy represents heat derived from the Earth's interior, which can generate electricity, provide direct heating, and cool buildings.
Renewable Nature: It is considered renewable because Earth's internal heat is continuously replenished through residual heat and the decay of radioactive elements.

Deep Reservoirs: Underground hot water or steam is accessed by drilling deep wells for electricity generation or direct thermal applications.
Near-surface Resources: Hot springs and shallow hydrothermal reservoirs occur mainly in geologically active regions and are easier to tap.
Shallow Ground: Upper ground layers maintain a stable temperature year-round, which geothermal heat pumps can utilize to heat and cool buildings.

National Policy: The National Policy on Geothermal Energy, 2025 aims to boost the exploration and development of India's untapped geothermal resources.
Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy serves as the primary agency responsible for executing this policy.

Global Scenario: Global geothermal power generation capacity reached 15.4 GW by late 2024, led by the United States, followed by Indonesia and the Philippines.
Hot Springs in India: The Geological Survey of India has identified 381 hot springs across the country, with surface temperatures ranging from 35°C to 89°C.
Recognized Provinces: India officially recognizes 10 geothermal provinces, including Himalayan, Naga-Lusai, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Son-Narmada-Tapi, West Coast, Cambay Graben, Aravalli, Mahanadi, Godavari, and South Indian Cratonic regions.
Key Identified Sites: Prominent sites include Puga and Chumathang in Ladakh, Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh, Tapoban in Uttarakhand, Bakreshwar in West Bengal, Tuwa in Gujarat, Tattapani in Chhattisgarh, and Deulajhari in Odisha.
Total Power Potential: India's overall geothermal power potential is estimated at approximately 10,600 MW.

Why in News: India commissioned its first and deepest geothermal wells at Puga Valley in Ladakh to feed the nation's first demonstration-scale geothermal plant.
Location: Puga Valley lies in the Changthang region of south-eastern Ladakh, roughly 22 km from Salt Lake Valley.
Unique Features: These are India's first geothermal wells, drilled to a depth of 1,000 metres at an elevation over 14,000 feet.
Proposed Capacity: The wells will supply thermal energy to a proposed 1 MW pilot geothermal power plant.
Definition: Geothermal energy refers to the heat trapped inside the Earth that can be used for generating electricity and direct heating.