At over 14,000 feet above sea level, India’s first geothermal wells mark a significant leap towards harnessing underground heat for clean, reliable electricity
India has achieved a landmark in its clean energy journey by commissioning its first and deepest geothermal wells in Ladakh’s Puga Valley, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s quest for sustainable and round-the-clock renewable power.
Located at an altitude of more than 14,000 feet, the two wells have each been drilled to a depth of nearly 1,000 metres. The project was inaugurated by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena and has been executed by the ONGC Energy Centre.
The wells are central to India’s first demonstration-scale 1 MW geothermal power project, which aims to convert naturally occurring underground heat into electricity. Unlike solar and wind energy, geothermal power can generate electricity continuously, making it a reliable source of clean energy throughout the year.
Engineers recorded temperatures of around 135°C during drilling, with further testing underway to assess the reservoir’s full energy potential. The findings will help determine the long-term commercial viability of geothermal power generation in the region.
The project is expected to provide reliable electricity to remote Himalayan communities, reduce dependence on diesel generators and strengthen Ladakh’s vision of becoming a carbon-neutral region. Officials also believe the success of the pilot project could pave the way for similar geothermal developments in other parts of the country with high geothermal potential.
India possesses significant untapped geothermal resources, but commercial utilisation has remained limited for decades. The commissioning of these wells places the country on the global geothermal energy map and represents a significant technological breakthrough in its renewable energy ambitions.
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