Forget solar and wind: India bets on heat buried deep underground for round-the-clock clean electricity; here's the big plan

India is stepping up efforts to tap geothermal energy as a round-the-clock, low-carbon source of power, with projects underway in Ladakh, Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh and other parts of the country. According to a government release, an important milestone was achieved in July 2026, when the ONGC Energy Centre commissioned India's first two geothermal wells in Puga Valley, Ladakh. Located at an altitude of over 14,000 feet, Puga Valley is among the country's most promising geothermal sites, known for its hot springs and underground heat reserves. The two wells, each drilled to a depth of 1,000 metres, will be used to assess the geothermal reservoir and support plans for India's first 1 MW demonstration geothermal power project.

India has an estimated theoretical geothermal energy potential of around 10.6 GW. The government is now working to develop this resource through research, pilot projects, international partnerships and a national policy framework.

What is geothermal energy and how does it work?

Geothermal energy is the heat stored beneath the Earth's surface. It is generated by the planet's internal heat, including energy released through the radioactive decay of elements such as uranium, thorium and potassium, as well as residual heat from the Earth's formation.

In areas with suitable geological conditions, underground heat warms water trapped in rocks and creates reservoirs of hot water and steam. These resources can be brought to the surface through deep wells and used to generate electricity.

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In a geothermal power plant, steam or hot fluid from underground is used to drive a turbine connected to a generator. Unlike conventional thermal power plants, the process does not require burning coal or other fossil fuels to produce heat. The water is generally cooled and reinjected into the underground reservoir after use.

Geothermal energy is not limited to electricity generation. It can also be used directly for heating and cooling buildings, agriculture, aquaculture and other applications.

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One of its biggest advantages is that it can provide energy throughout the day, unlike solar and wind power, which depend on weather conditions.

India's geothermal energy potential: 381 hot springs and 10 provinces

India's diverse geological landscape offers considerable scope for geothermal energy development. According to the Geological Survey of India (GSI), the country has 381 mapped hot springs and 10 identified geothermal provinces.

The estimated theoretical geothermal potential is around 10.6 GW, with 42 sites identified as promising for electricity generation and direct heat applications.

The 10 geothermal provinces are:

• Himalayan Geothermal Province
• Naga-Lusai
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Son-Narmada-Tapi (SONATA)
• West Coast
• Cambay Graben
• Aravalli
• Mahanadi
• Godavari
• South Indian Cratonic region

India's geothermal rift basins are considered particularly promising because of their geological and tectonic conditions. However, suitable projects can also be developed in other regions where underground heat resources are available.

Emerging technologies such as Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and Advanced Geothermal Systems (AGS) could further expand the areas where geothermal energy can be tapped.

Geothermal energy projects in India: Work underway in five locations

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has sanctioned five research and development projects between July and August 2025 to assess geothermal resources, develop indigenous technologies and test applications for power generation, heating and cooling.

Here is a look at the projects and their progress, according to the government:

1. Ankleshwar, Gujarat

The pilot project is exploring electricity generation by reusing unproductive oil and gas wells. Field investigations and the collection of baseline geological and production data have been completed.

2. Gandhinagar, Gujarat

A demonstration project combining solar and geothermal energy has drilled three geothermal wells. These produce geothermal fluid at temperatures of 70-80 degrees Celsius. The project has demonstrated electricity generation of 50-90 kW.

3. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

Studies are being carried out at five geothermal sites. Field investigations and geochemical analysis are underway to assess the region's geothermal resources.

4. Hyderabad, Telangana

A research project is developing a geothermal cooling system for air-conditioning applications. It is using modelling and performance analysis to assess the technology.

5. Shallow geothermal energy

A separate pilot study is developing analytical models to assess shallow geothermal systems that use Borehole Heat Exchangers for heating and cooling.

While these projects are helping build technical expertise and gather field data, commercial-scale geothermal power generation in India is still at an early stage.

India explores geothermal energy partnerships with Australia, Iceland and Saudi Arabia

India is also looking at international partnerships to strengthen its geothermal energy capabilities.

Under cooperation frameworks with Australia and Iceland, geothermal energy has been identified as an important area of collaboration. An agreement with Saudi Arabia has also included geothermal energy as a focus area for bilateral cooperation.

These partnerships are expected to support research, technology development and the exchange of expertise as India works towards developing its geothermal resources.

How geothermal energy can strengthen India's renewable energy mix

Geothermal energy is already an established renewable power source in several countries. Global installed geothermal power capacity reached 15.67 GW by the end of 2025. Indonesia, the United States, the Philippines, Türkiye and New Zealand are among the leading countries, together accounting for around 67% of global capacity.

For India, geothermal energy offers an opportunity to add a dependable source of electricity to its renewable energy mix. Its potential applications also extend beyond power generation to building heating and cooling, agriculture, aquaculture and tourism around geothermal sites.

The commissioning of the first two geothermal wells at Puga Valley marks an important step in India's efforts to move from resource mapping to field-level development. Research projects, policy support and international partnerships will play a key role in determining how quickly this potential can be converted into usable energy.

As India works towards its 2070 net-zero emissions target, geothermal energy could become another source of low-carbon power alongside solar, wind and hydropower.