PIB backgrounder: National Policy on Geothermal Energy
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A PIB backgrounder of 4 September 2026 explains India’s push into geothermal energy. The National Policy on Geothermal Energy was notified in September 2025, and in July 2026 ONGC Energy Centre commissioned India’s first two geothermal wells in Puga Valley, Ladakh. GSI has mapped 381 hot springs in 10 geothermal provinces, with a theoretical potential of about 10.6 GW.
- Policy
- National Policy on Geothermal Energy, notified Sep 2025
- Nodal ministry
- MNRE
- First wells
- 2 wells, 1,000 m deep, Puga Valley, Ladakh (July 2026)
- Next step
- 1 MW demonstration geothermal power project
- Resource base
- 381 hot springs, 10 geothermal provinces, 42 promising sites
- Potential
- about 10.6 GW (theoretical)
Geothermal energy in India: what happened?
Solar and wind power rise and fall with the weather. Heat from inside the Earth does not. That makes geothermal one of the few renewable sources that can run round the clock, if the geology allows it.
- ONGC Energy Centre commissioned India’s first two geothermal wells at Puga Valley, Ladakh, over 14,000 feet above sea level.
- The two 1,000-metre wells will support reservoir evaluation and pave the way for a 1-megawatt demonstration plant.
- MNRE sanctioned five R&D projects between July and August 2025.
- Global installed geothermal capacity reached 15.67 GW by the end of 2025.
- Indonesia, the US, the Philippines, Türkiye and New Zealand hold around 67 per cent of global capacity.
Where does the heat come from?
- The Earth has four layers: crust, mantle, liquid outer core and solid inner core.
- The mantle reaches about 3700 degrees Celsius at the core boundary; the core goes up to 5000 to 6000 degrees Celsius.
- The heat comes from radioactive decay of uranium, thorium and potassium, and from heat left over from the planet’s formation.
- Mantle convection drives earthquakes, volcanoes and mountain building; faults let hot fluids rise and form reservoirs of hot water and steam.
How big are the Earth’s layers?
| Layer | Size |
|---|---|
| Inner core | solid iron and nickel, about 2,400 km wide |
| Outer core | liquid iron and nickel, about 2,400 km thick |
| Mantle | hot dense rock, nearly 2,900 km; the largest layer |
| Crust | 5 to 8 km under oceans; 24 to 56 km under continents |
PIB Backgrounder, 4 Sep 2026.
What are India’s 10 geothermal provinces?
- Himalayan, Naga-Lusai, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Son Narmada Tapi (SONATA), West Coast.
- Cambay Graben, Aravalli, Mahanadi, Godavari and South Indian Cratonic regions.
Which pilot projects are under way?
| Site | Work |
|---|---|
| Ankleshwar, Gujarat | power from retrofitted unproductive oil and gas wells; baseline data done |
| Gandhinagar, Gujarat | solar plus geothermal; 3 wells, fluid at 70 to 80°C, 50 to 90 kW power shown |
| Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh | studies at 5 geothermal sites |
| Hyderabad, Telangana | geothermal cooling for air conditioning |
| Shallow geothermal | models for Borehole Heat Exchangers for heating and cooling |
How does a geothermal power plant work?
- Deep wells tap hot water and steam trapped underground
- Steam drives a turbine connected to a generator
- Used water is condensed
- Water is reinjected into the reservoir
- Reservoir is replenished for continued production
Why does geothermal energy in India matter?
| Angle | What to note |
|---|---|
| Baseload power | Weather-independent, round-the-clock renewable energy. |
| Net Zero 2070 | Adds a steady, indigenous source to the clean energy mix. |
| Old oil wells | Abandoned oil and gas wells can be repurposed, using existing data and drilling skills. |
| Direct use | District heating, agriculture, aquaculture, space heating and cooling, and geo-tourism. |
| Partnerships | Cooperation with Australia and Iceland, and an MoU with Saudi Arabia, cover geothermal. |
What are the challenges in geothermal energy in India?
- Commercial-scale geothermal power is yet to be established in India.
- Good resources are often in remote, high-altitude or hard terrain like Puga.
- Drilling is costly and reservoir behaviour is uncertain until tested.
What should be done next on geothermal energy in India?
- Build the 1 MW demonstration plant at Puga.
- Set up the national geothermal data repository and Centres of Excellence.
- Scale up Ground Source Heat Pumps and direct-use projects.
What can Prelims ask on geothermal energy in India?
- National Policy on Geothermal Energy: notified September 2025; nodal ministry MNRE.
- First geothermal wells: Puga Valley, Ladakh (ONGC Energy Centre, July 2026).
- GSI: 381 hot springs, 10 geothermal provinces; potential about 10,600 MW.
- Global capacity 15.67 GW (end 2025); top: Indonesia, US, Philippines, Türkiye, New Zealand.
How to write about geothermal energy in India in Mains
Practice question (10 marks, 150 words): Geothermal energy can complement solar and wind in India’s energy transition. Examine its potential and constraints.
- Intro: round-the-clock renewable; National Policy 2025.
- Potential: 381 hot springs, 10 provinces, about 10.6 GW; Puga wells.
- Uses: power, heating, cooling, old oil wells.
- Constraints: cost, terrain, no commercial plant yet.
- Conclusion: pilots to scale; data and partnerships.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-09-04): PIB backgrounder describes geothermal as round-the-clock clean power and outlines the National Policy on Geothermal Energy, in the context of Net Zero 2070.
- Unlike solar/wind, geothermal can supply baseload.
Quotable data pointPIB backgrounder describes geothermal as round-the-clock clean power and outlines the National Policy on Geothermal Energy, in the context of Net Zero 2070.
PIB: PIB Backgrounder: Geothermal Energy, 4 Sep 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: geothermal sites in India.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
India's first geothermal wells were commissioned in 2026 at
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB Backgrounder, 4 Sep 2026.
The nodal ministry for the National Policy on Geothermal Energy is
Answer (c) & explanation
PIB Backgrounder, 4 Sep 2026.
Consider: 1. The mantle is the largest layer of the Earth. 2. The outer core is solid. Which is correct?
Answer (a) & explanation
PIB Backgrounder, 4 Sep 2026: the outer core is liquid.
Questions students ask about this
Where are India's first geothermal wells?
In Puga Valley, Ladakh, commissioned by ONGC Energy Centre in July 2026.
What is India's geothermal potential?
A theoretical potential of about 10.6 GW, as per the PIB backgrounder.
Which ministry implements the National Policy on Geothermal Energy?
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
Why is geothermal energy different from solar and wind?
It is weather-independent and available round the clock.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: PIB Backgrounder: Geothermal Energy, 4 Sep 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending