LEH: India has achieved a major milestone in renewable energy with the successful commissioning of the country’s first and deepest geothermal wells in Ladakh’s Puga Valley, marking a significant step towards harnessing geothermal energy for power generation.
The two wells, each drilled to a depth of 1,000 metres at an altitude of more than 14,000 feet by the ONGC Energy Centre, will support the development of India’s first 1 MW pilot geothermal power project in the Union Territory.
Announcing the achievement, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena described it as a historic moment in India’s transition towards clean and renewable energy. He said the successful commissioning of the wells lays the foundation for geothermal power generation in the country and represents a major technological accomplishment under challenging conditions.
The project was completed despite the harsh terrain of the Himalayan region, where engineering teams had to overcome extreme cold, high altitude, complex geological formations and unpredictable geothermal activity. Officials said the successful drilling demonstrates India’s growing capability in advanced renewable energy technologies.
Puga Valley has long been recognised as one of the country’s most promising geothermal resource zones. The commissioning of these deep wells is expected to accelerate research and commercial development of geothermal energy in the region.
Authorities believe the project will help reduce dependence on diesel based electricity generation in remote parts of Ladakh while providing a reliable and sustainable source of clean energy. It also supports the Union Territory’s long term goal of achieving carbon neutrality and contributes to India’s broader commitment to reaching net zero emissions.
The successful completion of the project is being viewed as a breakthrough for India’s renewable energy sector, opening the possibility of developing geothermal power in other suitable regions of the country and expanding the nation’s clean energy portfolio beyond solar, wind and hydroelectric power.
