New Delhi: India is increasingly looking to geothermal energy as a dependable, low-carbon source that can complement its expanding renewable energy portfolio and provide power and heat around the clock.
The country’s efforts to tap this largely unexplored resource received a major push with the National Policy on Geothermal Energy, notified in September 2025. The policy provides a framework for exploration, development and wider utilisation of geothermal resources across the country. A significant milestone was achieved in July 2026, when India commissioned its first two geothermal wells in Puga Valley, Ladakh, located at an altitude of more than 14,000 feet above sea level.
The wells, each extending to a depth of around 1,000 metres, are being used for reservoir assessment and evaluation. The findings are expected to support the development of India’s first 1 MW demonstration geothermal power project at Puga.
India Has Vast Geothermal Potential
India’s geothermal resources are spread across different geological regions. The country has identified 381 hot springs across 10 geothermal provinces, indicating considerable scope for both electricity generation and direct applications of geothermal heat.
India’s theoretical geothermal potential is estimated at nearly 10.6 GW, while 42 locations have been identified as promising sites for power generation and direct heat utilisation.
Unlike weather-dependent renewable sources such as solar and wind, geothermal energy can potentially provide a stable and continuous source of energy, making it an attractive option for strengthening energy security and balancing the renewable energy mix.
Beyond electricity generation, geothermal heat can also have applications in areas such as heating, agriculture, food processing and other industrial activities, depending on the characteristics of individual sites.
The development of geothermal resources could therefore open another avenue for India to expand its clean-energy base while reducing dependence on conventional fossil fuels.
As India works towards its Net Zero emissions target by 2070, geothermal energy could emerge as an important complementary technology alongside solar, wind, hydropower, nuclear energy and other clean-energy sources.
The development of Puga Valley marks an important first step in converting India’s vast underground heat resources into a practical clean-energy solution, potentially adding a new dimension to the country’s long-term energy transition.