Ladakh: India has taken a significant step toward strengthening its clean energy portfolio as Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), through its Energy Centre, has renewed its collaboration with the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) and the Union Territory Administration of Ladakh to advance the country’s first geothermal power project in Puga Valley. The renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) extends the partnership for another five years, marking a major milestone in India’s renewable energy journey.
India’s First Geothermal Power Project at 14,000 Feet
The ambitious project is located in Puga Valley, one of the world’s most promising geothermal energy zones, situated at an altitude of over 14,000 feet in the Himalayan region.
The initiative envisions a 1 MWe pilot geothermal power plant designed to demonstrate the feasibility of large-scale geothermal energy production in India. Once operational, it will serve as a foundation for expanding geothermal infrastructure across suitable regions in the country.
Breakthrough in Geothermal Exploration
In a major technological achievement, the ONGC Energy Centre has already successfully drilled India’s first geothermal well in Puga Valley. The project has also produced steam sufficient for generating sustainable power, despite extreme weather conditions, high altitude challenges, and difficult terrain.
This achievement places India among a select group of countries actively developing geothermal energy as a reliable, round-the-clock renewable power source.
Strengthening Clean Energy and Net Zero Goals
The Puga Valley geothermal project is expected to play a crucial role in India’s long-term energy transition strategy. Key benefits include:
- Enhancing energy security in the Himalayan region
- Reducing dependence on fossil fuels
- Supporting sustainable infrastructure development
- Creating local employment and economic opportunities
The initiative also aligns with India’s broader climate goals, including its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions and diversifying its renewable energy mix beyond solar and wind power.
Strategic Collaboration Between Key Institutions
The renewed MoU was signed by senior officials representing multiple institutions, including:
- Mr. Rudra Goud P.T., IAS, Administrative Secretary, Power Development and New & Renewable Energy Department, UT Ladakh
- Mr. Romil Singh Donk, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Leh
- Mr. Sunil Kumar, Director General, ONGC Energy Centre
Their participation highlights strong coordination between central energy institutions, local administration, and regional governance bodies to support clean energy innovation in high-altitude regions.
Why Puga Valley Geothermal Energy Matters
Unlike solar and wind energy, geothermal power offers a stable baseload electricity supply that is available 24/7, regardless of weather conditions. This makes it a highly valuable complement to India’s existing renewable energy infrastructure.
If successfully scaled, the Puga Valley geothermal project could serve as a model for similar developments across geothermal-rich regions in India, particularly in the Himalayan belt. Experts believe it may open a new chapter in the country’s renewable energy landscape.
About ONGC
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited is India’s largest crude oil and natural gas exploration and production company. As a Maharatna public sector enterprise, ONGC plays a vital role in ensuring India’s energy security through domestic hydrocarbon exploration, production, and development of oil and gas resources across onshore and offshore fields.
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