Geothermal Energy in India

Why in News?

The Government of India’s push for geothermal energy development has brought renewed attention to India’s geothermal potential. This follows the notification of the National Policy on Geothermal Energy, 2025 and the commissioning of the country’s first two geothermal wells at Puga Valley in Ladakh.

What is Geothermal Energy?

Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source derived from the Earth’s internal heat. It can be used for electricity generation as well as direct heating applications in regions with suitable geological conditions.

Geothermal energy is considered a steady, low-carbon and weather-independent source of renewable energy. Unlike solar and wind energy, its availability is not directly dependent on daily weather conditions, making it potentially useful for supporting a reliable clean-energy system.

Origin of Earth’s Internal Heat

Earth’s internal heat is generated mainly through the radioactive decay of elements such as uranium, thorium and potassium, along with the residual heat from the formation of the planet.

This internal heat drives mantle convection currents, which contribute to major geological processes such as earthquakes, volcanism and mountain building.

Formation of Geothermal Reservoirs

In geologically active regions, faults and fractures allow heat from deeper parts of the Earth to move closer to the surface.

This can result in the formation of geothermal reservoirs, where hot water and steam become trapped within permeable rocks.

How is Geothermal Energy Used for Electricity Generation?

Geothermal power plants extract hot water and steam through deep wells. The steam or heat energy is then used to drive turbines connected to generators, producing electricity.

After electricity generation, the cooled water can be reinjected into the geothermal reservoir, helping maintain the resource and support more sustainable energy production.

Direct Heat Applications

Geothermal energy can also be used directly without converting it into electricity. Important applications include district heating, agriculture, aquaculture, and space heating and cooling.

Earth’s Internal Structure and Geothermal Energy

The Earth consists of four major layers, which are important for understanding the origin and distribution of geothermal heat.

Inner Core

The inner core is a solid iron-nickel layer and is approximately 2,400 km wide.

Outer Core

The outer core is a liquid layer mainly composed of molten iron and nickel.

Mantle

The mantle is a hot and dense rock layer extending nearly 2,900 km.

Crust

The crust is the thin, outermost solid layer of the Earth. Its thickness ranges from around 5–8 km beneath oceans to 24–56 km beneath continents.

Temperature Gradient of the Earth

The temperature of the Earth generally increases with depth. Temperatures reach around 3,700°C at the mantle-core boundary and approximately 5,000–6,000°C in the core.

This enormous internal heat provides the fundamental energy source for geothermal energy.

India’s Geothermal Energy Potential

Global Geothermal Scenario

Geothermal energy is an established renewable energy technology in several parts of the world. Global installed geothermal capacity reached 15.67 GW by the end of 2025.

Countries such as Indonesia, the United States, the Philippines, Türkiye and New Zealand are leading the sector and together account for around 67% of global geothermal capacity.

Geothermal Resource Mapping in India

India possesses significant geothermal potential because of its diverse geological features.

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has mapped 381 hot springs and identified 10 geothermal locations across the country.

India’s theoretical geothermal resource potential is estimated at approximately 10.6 GW. Among the identified resources, 42 sites have been recognised as promising for electricity generation and direct heat applications.

Major Geothermal Provinces of India

India's major geothermal provinces include the Himalayan Geothermal Province, Naga-Lusai Province, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Son-Narmada-Tapi (SONATA), West Coast, Cambay Graben, Aravalli, Mahanadi, Godavari and South Indian Cratonic regions.

These regions reflect the country's diverse tectonic and geological conditions and provide opportunities for geothermal exploration and development.

Role of Advanced Technologies

Enhanced Geothermal Systems

Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) can expand geothermal development by enabling energy extraction from areas where conventional geothermal resources are limited.

EGS technology can potentially make geothermal energy available in locations where suitable natural geothermal reservoirs are not readily accessible.

Advanced Geothermal Systems

Advanced Geothermal Systems (AGS) represent another technological pathway for expanding geothermal exploration and energy extraction from areas with limited conventional geothermal resources.

Repurposing Oil and Gas Wells

Abandoned or unproductive oil and gas wells can potentially be repurposed for geothermal projects, subject to technical feasibility.

Such repurposing can utilise existing drilling expertise, well data and infrastructure, potentially reducing some of the challenges associated with developing new geothermal projects.

India's Policy Framework for Geothermal Energy

National Policy on Geothermal Energy, 2025

The Government notified the National Policy on Geothermal Energy in September 2025 with the objective of establishing geothermal energy as an important component of India's renewable energy mix.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the nodal ministry responsible for implementing the policy.

Major Focus Areas

The policy promotes systematic exploration, technology development, drilling, reservoir management and direct-use applications.

It also focuses on Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs), pilot projects, Centres of Excellence and the development of a national geothermal data repository.

Private Sector Participation

The policy provides a regulatory framework to encourage participation by both public and private sector entities. It also supports the repurposing of abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal applications.

Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development Programme

The Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development Programme (RE-RTD) is implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

The programme supports research institutions and industry partners in developing indigenous and cost-effective renewable energy technologies, including geothermal technologies.

International Cooperation

India is strengthening geothermal development through international cooperation with countries possessing experience in the sector.

Australia and Iceland have identified geothermal energy as an area of cooperation with India. An MoU with Saudi Arabia has also recognised geothermal energy as a focus area for bilateral collaboration.

Significance for India

Geothermal energy can provide India with a reliable, indigenous and low-carbon source of energy that is relatively independent of weather conditions.

The development of resources such as Puga Valley in Ladakh, together with the National Policy on Geothermal Energy, 2025, indicates a gradual shift from merely identifying geothermal resources towards their practical utilisation.

Geothermal energy can therefore complement India's other renewable sources and contribute to the country's Net Zero 2070 goal.