India's geothermal odyssey: between promises and pitfalls

In the Himalayas, the word Leh - a city in Indian-administered Ladakh - conjures up images of paradise. This secluded area is distinguishable by its untainted air, craggy mountains, and spectacular natural beauty around every corner. However, India's discovery of a wealth of natural resources and enormous potential for sustainable energy in the lesser-known hamlet of Puga Valley, located about 200 kilometres south of Leh, has raised concerns over the region's environment.

Geothermal energy is renewable energy generated from the Earth’s natural heat that can be harnessed for direct heating, cooling and electricity production. Puga Valley is the perfect place to harvest such energy; it is home to 80 powerful sulfur-borax hot springs, which shoot gushes of scorching water into the air. Recognising the monumental potential of sustainable energy, the Indian government have initiated a pilot project to generate 1 megawatt (MW) of electricity by tapping into Puga Valley's geothermal resources, marking a significant step towards a cleaner and more renewable energy mix for India.

Geothermal has become a promising renewable energy source in India’s continuous efforts to switch to a more sustainable energy mix and reach its net-zero emissions target by 2070.

Geothermal resources can increase energy diversity and decrease reliance on fossil fuels, strengthening India’s commitment to combating climate change and promoting a cleaner environment.

The country has a significant geothermal potential, estimated between 10,000 and 20,000 MW, despite solar and wind power having historically dominated the renewable energy space. The Western Ghats and some areas of the Himalayas have high volcanic activity and hold most of India's geothermal potential. 

A rocky road for geothermal in India

First, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and the ONGC Energy Centre (OEC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in February 2022 to build the 1 MW experimental geothermal power plant. 

Then, in August, the OEC and Iceland Geothermal Energy GeoSurvey (ISOR) began drilling exploratory wells to assess the area's geothermal potential. After several days of work, it was reported that a large amount of toxic black fluid, including arsenic and other harmful chemicals, leaked from the well and into the neighbouring stream, beyond the control of the OEC. This resulted in the suspension of the project.

A local NGO, the Wildlife Conservation and Birds Club of Ladakh, was concerned about arsenic in the water expelled from the well, which would poison the neighbouring river. The NGO documented the precise leakage of the pipeline into the stream and compelled the authorities to act, calling for increased project oversight. 

“Because they acknowledged it was a fluke incident that might occur again. The fears persist,” the NGO president Lobzang Vissudha tells FairPlanet.

A Puga Valley resident, Tsewang Gyatso, points out the valley's opportunities and difficulties. “There are many risks to our animals. Our grazing pastures will be moved to mountains due to the Puga Valley project, and snow leopards are a constant threat. Additionally, wolves are nearby, and the grass isn’t good if we move our cattle to the riverbanks,” says Gyatso. “Last year, [the ONGC] pulled the substantial and extremely hot water out of the ground, and we got scared. The sight of so much water flowing at such a rate astounded me.”

Gyatso sees the project’s advantages too. “There will be some perks, like we will get electricity,” he says.

Ravinder Kumar, the Secretary of Renewable Energy for the Administration of Union Territory in Ladakh, tells FairPlanet he knows the project's issues and has taken the necessary preventive measures. 

“Puga is a wildlife region, and we have obtained the essential authorisations from the pollution control and wildlife departments. To guarantee the project has the least possible impact on the area, we have instructed ONGC to adhere to pollution control standards like controlled drilling and not polluting the environment, especially the nearby stream and use cutting-edge technologies,” says Kumar.

The initiative has the potential to generate large amounts of electricity and heat, says Kumar, if the ONGC looks into updating the technology and collaborates. “We anticipate the project to start operating next because they (ONGC) are awaiting the drilling equipment with which they can achieve controlled drilling.” 

Iceland's geothermal success inspires India

Geothermal energy offers a year-round, dependable supply of thermal energy, unlike solar, which requires pricey battery storage solutions. The few hydroelectric power plants in the region face problems due to low water levels and water freezing, particularly during India's brutal Ladakhi winters.

Kunzes Dolma, a researcher from Reykjavik University in Iceland, explains the significance of geothermal energy: “Geothermal energy is an energy source that keeps on running throughout the year. Unlike hydro, which gets frozen in winter, or solar, which requires battery storage, geothermal offers reliable electricity access, especially in environmentally sensitive regions like Ladakh.”

She points out that the absence of a geothermal policy in India, unlike in nations like Iceland, is an obstacle to successfully implementing geothermal projects like Puga.

“India should first develop a geothermal strategy that would ensure the environment is [minimally] damaged if we examine projects like these in nations who are successfully utilising geothermal potential without damaging the environment.”

Iceland’s geothermal policy places a high priority on environmental stewardship by mandating exhaustive environmental impact assessments to assess potential effects, putting in place strict emission controls to lessen air pollution, managing geothermal resources sustainably to prevent depletion, protecting wildlife habitats, responsibly managing water resources, adhering to land use plans, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.

These extensive efforts aim to uphold the nation’s commitment to sustainability while reducing the adverse environmental effects of geothermal projects.

Iceland’s geothermal energy policy has effectively utilised the country’s plentiful geothermal resources. Meeting a sizable amount of the nation’s electricity and district heating demands with sustainable geothermal energy has dramatically decreased the country’s dependency on fossil fuels. This strategy has reduced greenhouse gas emissions, left a small carbon footprint and boosted economic growth by generating jobs and boosting local economies.

Iceland’s geothermal attractions have also become well-liked tourist destinations, generating revenue for local communities and advancing environmental awareness and education.

The Himalayan belt, the Western and Eastern Ghats, and the Deccan Plateau are only a few of the locations with geothermal energy potential in India, which is estimated to be over 10,600 MW, according to 2007 research by the Geological Survey of India. as per the latest reports of the international geothermal energy organisation.

Dr Riyaz, a geology professor at the University of Leh, says the project will help India achieve its goal of reducing carbon emissions and will be very beneficial in supplying the country’s energy needs without hurting the environment. “We have found about 300 hot springs in India, some very encouraging, such as those in Puga and Chumangtang, and others in Tattapani, Chhattisgarh, Narmada Valley, and Gujarat. 

“The Ladak Chumangtang region will be the site of our first project, and we have similar plans for Tattapani, Chhattisgarh. This project has the potential to produce 10 terabytes of energy if we are successful in harnessing these energies in the upcoming years,” says Riyaz.

Image by Sameer Mushtaq.