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Puga Geothermal Project
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh commissions the country’s first and deepest 1,000 m geothermal wells, executed by ONGC, at Puga Valley. The 2 wells are critical to implementation of the 1 MW geothermal power project at Puga, which is India’s first demonstration-scale geothermal power project.
Puga Geothermal Project and Geothermal Energy:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Puga Geothermal Project applies to Puga Valley in Ladakh. |
| Executing agency | The geothermal wells at Puga Valley are executed by ONGC. |
| Wells commissioned | The commissioned infrastructure comprises 2 geothermal wells with a depth of 1,000 m. |
| Project capacity and status | The Puga geothermal power project comprises a 1 MW demonstration-scale project, and it is India’s first demonstration-scale geothermal power project. |
| Geothermal energy: definition | Geothermal energy comprises heat stored within Earth’s crust. |
| Geothermal energy system components | The geothermal energy system comprises production and reinjection (wells, pumps), transport (pipelines), distribution (heat exchangers), and end-use application. |
| Resource types and typical use | Geothermal resources comprise two categories: high-enthalpy resources (volcanic regions, geysers, and hot springs) which apply to electricity generation; low- to medium-enthalpy resources (hot rocks and shallow ground layers) which apply to direct-use applications, including heating and cooling, agri-food, and aquaculture. |
| Potential in India: hot springs | India’s identified geothermal potential comprises 381 hot springs identified by the Geological Survey of India, with surface temperatures comprising 35°C to 89°C. |
| Potential in India: geothermal provinces | Identified geothermal provinces in India comprise 10, including the Himalayan Geothermal Province, Cambay Graben, and Aravalli. |
| Benefits | Benefits comprise reliable and uninterrupted electricity generation, low carbon emissions, reduced dependence on fossil fuels, and suitability for remote areas. |
| Challenges | Challenges comprise high initial investment, exploration risks, limitation to certain regions, and requirement of advanced technology. |
| Policy | Exploration and development of geothermal resources in India are governed by the MNRE-formulated National Policy on Geothermal Energy 2025. |