India's geothermal resources estimated at 11,000 GW; Can create up to 700,000 jobs while boosting clean energy supply

New Delhi: India's subsurface holds vast geothermal resources, including some sites with temperatures hot enough to produce electricity, according to a new report.

It also said that there are several locations where geothermal could provide cooling for buildings and heat for industrial processes.

"India holds significant technical potential for geothermal: 11,000 gigawatts (GW) of industrial heat, more than 1,500 GW of cooling, and 450 GW of electricity," the report said.


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The analysis, 'The Future of Geothermal in India', was released by Project InnerSpace, in partnership with the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), on Thursday.

The report estimated that geothermal development could generate between 3,50,000 and 7,00,000 jobs while boosting economic activity in the agricultural industry.

In a statement, Karthik Ganesan, fellow and director of strategic partnerships at CEEW, said, "As India's energy supply shifts towards clean sources, this diversity will have to be met through newer technologies, and geothermal is that ubiquitous source that guarantees energy security, with little environmental footprint and not affected by the vagaries of short-term weather and long-term climatic changes."

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The report also highlighted that India began exploring geothermal resources decades ago, but deployment has remained limited to pilot projects due to high exploration risks, uncertain drilling returns, and the absence of enabling policy frameworks.

However, advances in drilling technologies, improved subsurface data, and India's recent National Policy on Geothermal Energy now make large-scale deployment significantly more viable, according to the analysis.