India’s Geothermal Gamble: First National Policy Could Redefine Clean Energy Landscape
India has unveiled its first-ever national policy on geothermal energy, marking a strategic move to harness the Earth's subterranean heat for clean, reliable power. Drafted with inputs from ONGC, IIT Roorkee, and global experts, the policy targets 1,000 MW of geothermal capacity by 2035, with pilot projects in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, offering a sustainable alternative to diesel generators in remote regions.
New Policy Accelerates India’s Clean Energy Transition, Highlighting Automation’s Role in Geothermal Development
New Delhi: In a landmark move, Union Power & Renewable Energy Minister R. K. Singh has unveiled India’s first-ever national policy on geothermal energy, positioning the country as a future player in baseload renewable power.
Drafted in consultation with the ONGC Energy Centre, IIT Roorkee, and international experts from Iceland and Japan, the policy outlines a roadmap for tapping Earth’s subterranean heat to produce 1,000 MW by 2035.
Pilot projects are already identified in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, with ONGC set to drill India’s first industrial-scale geothermal wells in Ladakh next year. Singh said: “This is India’s tryst with the Earth’s own energy. We are not just chasing megawatts, we are securing sustainable livelihoods.”
The human story is unfolding in remote Himalayan villages, where geothermal heating and small-scale power generation could soon replace diesel generators, providing reliable, clean energy in some of India’s toughest terrains.
Industry Impact:
Automation firms will play a critical role in drilling robotics, underground sensing technologies, AI-powered load balancing, and automated monitoring of geothermal heat exchangers.
Geothermal energy’s 24/7 reliability makes it a strong complement to solar and wind.
Future Outlook: Over the next 10 years, geothermal could emerge as India’s hidden weapon in its net-zero strategy, unlocking new industrial supply chains, jobs, and global recognition as a clean-energy innovator.
