---
title: "Ladakh Geothermal Energy: 5 Ways India Could Put Underground Heat to Work"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/ladakh-geothermal-five-uses-pmann
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: Science & Technology
published: 2026-09-07T10:02:37.458Z
modified: 2026-09-07T13:00:03.382Z
language: en-IN
---

# Ladakh Geothermal Energy: 5 Ways India Could Put Underground Heat to Work

In Ladakh’s Puga Valley, two 1,000-metre geothermal wells were commissioned in July 2026 as India’s first demonstration-scale geothermal project. The project explores multiple uses of underground heat beyond power generation, including heating, greenhouse cultivation, and crop drying.

## Key takeaways

- Two 1,000-metre geothermal wells were commissioned in July 2026 in Puga Valley, Ladakh, as part of a 1 MW pilot project.
- Early data show temperatures reaching 135°C at 400 metres depth, with ongoing testing to determine broader viability.
- The project aims to demonstrate geothermal power and explores direct-use possibilities such as heating, greenhouses, and agricultural drying.
- India’s theoretical geothermal potential is cited as about 10 GW by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

## What Happened

In the high-altitude Puga Valley of Ladakh, engineers drilled two geothermal wells reaching a depth of 1,000 metres. The commissioning occurred in July 2026 under the supervision of Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena. The wells are part of a 1 MW pilot geothermal power project designed to become India’s first demonstration-scale geothermal installation. Early results recorded water temperatures of up to 135 degrees Celsius at a depth of 400 metres, with ongoing testing to assess broader potential. The project faces challenges typical of extreme terrain, including severe winter conditions and a limited drilling season. The initiative is being conducted by the ONGC Energy Centre.

The broader potential for geothermal energy in India is cited as roughly 10 GW of theoretical capacity by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, with applications beyond electricity generation noted by multiple sources.

## Why It Matters

Geothermal energy offers continuous heat and power, unlike solar or wind, which depend on weather. If scalable, it could provide a steady energy source for heating and industrial processes in cold regions, reducing reliance on conventional fuels. The discussion around direct uses highlights potential benefits for homes, agriculture, and post-harvest processing where heat is essential. International references point to district heating and geothermal heat pumps among established direct uses of geothermal energy, suggesting possible expansion in diverse sectors if the technology proves viable in India.

## Background

The Puga project is described as being developed in one of India’s most challenging environments, where climate and seasonality complicate drilling. ONGC Energy Centre is leading the drilling effort as part of this pilot initiative. India’s theoretical geothermal resource base has been noted by the national ministry as being around 10 GW, though practical deployment details remain under demonstration.

## Key Facts

- Location: Puga Valley, Ladakh
- Altitude: more than 14,000 feet above sea level
- Commissioning: July 2026
- Wells drilled: two, each 1,000 metres deep
- Drilling organization: ONGC Energy Centre
- Pilot project capacity: 1 MW
- Current measured temperature: up to 135°C at 400 metres
- Development status: testing ongoing; expected to become India’s first demonstration-scale geothermal project
- National potential reference: about 10 GW theoretical geothermal potential per the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
- Direct-use concepts mentioned: heating homes, greenhouse heating, crop drying, and heat for industries that require heat
- Direct-use references cited: International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA); Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

## What Happens Next

Testing continues to assess deeper temperature profiles and sustainability of the 1 MW pilot. Further steps would depend on results from ongoing measurements and feasibility assessments for broader deployment across suitable sites if the technology proves viable and scalable within India’s energy framework.

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