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In a major stride for renewable energy in Northeast India, the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) has successfully drilled the region’s first geothermal production well in Arunachal Pradesh's Dirang which is situated in the West Kameng district.
Geothermal energy is heat derived from the Earth’s interior, generated primarily through the slow decay of radioactive particles. This heat, present in the Earth's core, mantle and crust, is harnessed for electricity generation, heating, and bathing, among other uses. Geothermal energy is considered a renewable resource as the Earth continually produces heat.
The geothermal energy project has been supported by the Arunachal Pradesh government and the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
The first well has been successfully drilled and CESHS plans to expand operations with deeper drilling in future phases. This initiative could make Dirang India’s first geothermal-powered town.
According to media reports, CESHS Director Tana Tage remarked, “This significant development marks the beginning of a new era for clean energy in the Himalayan region. It showcases the potential of geothermal resources to transform local livelihoods while ensuring environmental sustainability.”
CESHS, based in Itanagar, is an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology of the Arunachal Pradesh government. It is dedicated to Earth sciences and Himalayan studies, and promotes geological and environmental research in the region.
Rupankar Rajkhowa, head of the Geology Department at CESHS, described the success as “a vital step towards stable energy in the region.”
He stated that the achievement follows two years of detailed chemical and structural surveys of hot water sources in West Arunachal Pradesh.
Once fully operational, this geothermal system is expected to offer several eco-friendly solutions such as drying of agricultural products (fruits, nuts, and meat), space heating, and controlled-environment storage. These technologies could significantly improve agriculture and quality of life in high-altitude Himalayan regions.
The project has also benefited from international scientific cooperation, including support from Norway’s Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Icelandic firm Geotropy ehf, and the drilling team from Guwahati Boring Service.
Media reports cite Rajkhowa stating that advanced chemical analysis has revealed Dirang as a medium to high-temperature geothermal site, with reservoir temperatures estimated at around 115°C. This makes it highly suitable for direct-use geothermal technologies.
Rajkhowa further explained that geological and structural studies of the Dirang region have identified a key formation between two rock types — quartzite and schist — located near a significant fault zone.
This fault is similar to normal faults found in the higher and lower Himalayas. Based on this data, drilling was carried out with great precision, ensuring minimal environmental impact and efficient access to the reservoir.
Binit Das, Programme Manager of the Renewable Energy division at the Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), called the geothermal energy development in Dirang 'a major step towards sustainable energy in the Himalayas'.
He highlighted how the project has leveraged advanced geochemical analyses and precise drilling techniques to reach geothermal reservoirs with minimal environmental disruption. Das noted that such initiatives could improve agricultural practices and living standards in mountainous regions, while preserving ecological balance.
However, he cautioned, “With this progress must also come caution. Lessons from similar projects in Ladakh show that unexpected leaks of geothermal fluids can pose environmental risks, potentially affecting local water sources and ecosystems. Hence, geothermal projects in Dirang and other regions must be developed sustainably and responsibly, with ongoing environmental monitoring and adherence to best practices.”
India has undertaken several initiatives to harness geothermal energy. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has identified 381 thermally anomalous sites across the country and published the “Geothermal Atlas of India” in 2022.
This report estimates that India has the potential to generate approximately 10,600 MW of geothermal energy.
This capacity — equivalent to powering over 10 million households — offers a distinct advantage over other renewables like solar and wind, as geothermal is a “base load” source capable of supplying uninterrupted power around the clock, similar to coal or nuclear plants.
Previously, the country’s first geothermal power project was successfully established in the Manuguru region of Telangana, with a 20 kW pilot plant developed by Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL).
The plant uses a closed-loop binary organic Rankine cycle process and was funded by the Ministry of Coal with a budget of Rs 2.42 crore.
However, a 25 MW geothermal power plant in Khammam, Telangana, set up by Geosyndicate Power Pvt. Ltd., remains non-operational. Approved in 2010 and scheduled to commence in 2012, the project was stalled due to tariff disputes with the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission.
In addition, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is developing India’s first geothermal project in the Puga Valley. Initiated in 2021, this pilot project aimed to establish a 1 MW power plant. However, the project was temporarily halted in 2022 due to an unexpected hot water leak. Work resumed in 2024 with new drilling equipment and plans to continue with the pilot installation.
Elsewhere, in Dholera, Gujarat, geothermal energy is being used by Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) and the Amani Group for applications such as cooking and air conditioning at a Swaminarayan temple. Although not a pilot project, it serves as a model demonstration of the commercial viability of geothermal energy in India.
India has established partnerships with various countries in the field of geothermal energy. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iceland has been in place since 2007.
A similar agreement with Saudi Arabia was signed in 2019, and in 2023, geothermal energy was included as a focus area under the Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP) with the United States.