Geothermal – India Marks Milestone With First Deep Geothermal Wells in Ladakh
Geothermal –India has taken a significant step towards expanding its renewable energy portfolio with the commissioning of the country’s first and deepest geothermal wells in the Puga Valley of the Union Territory of Ladakh. The two wells, each drilled to a depth of 1,000 metres, were inaugurated on Friday by Ladakh Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. Developed by the ONGC Energy Centre, the project is expected to play a key role in advancing geothermal power generation in the country.
Wells to Support India’s First Pilot Geothermal Power Project
The newly commissioned wells will serve as the foundation for the proposed 1 MW pilot geothermal power plant at Puga, which is set to become India’s first demonstration-scale geothermal energy project. Officials said the wells will provide crucial geological and thermal data needed for reservoir assessment, future plant design and the long-term commercial development of geothermal resources in the region.
Speaking at the event, VK Saxena said the achievement represents an important milestone in Ladakh’s efforts to emerge as a renewable energy hub. He noted that the successful drilling of the wells at an altitude exceeding 14,000 feet reflects the country’s growing capability to develop advanced clean energy infrastructure in difficult terrains.
Renewed Agreement Revived the Delayed Project
The geothermal initiative had experienced a prolonged delay after the expiration of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding involving the Ladakh Administration, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, and the ONGC Energy Centre. The lapse had temporarily halted work on the project for several months.
Recognising the importance of geothermal energy in India’s transition to cleaner energy sources, the Ladakh administration facilitated the renewal of the agreement for another five years in June. Following the extension, construction activities resumed, leading to the successful completion of both geothermal wells within the planned timeline.
High Temperatures Recorded During Drilling Operations
Project engineers reported encouraging findings during drilling operations. According to the technical team, temperatures of up to 135 degrees Celsius were measured at a depth of approximately 400 metres. Additional scientific testing is continuing to evaluate the reservoir and determine whether even higher temperatures are present at greater depths.
Experts believe the data collected from these studies will help assess the long-term viability of electricity generation from geothermal resources and support future commercial expansion of the technology in Ladakh.
Challenging Conditions Tested Engineering Capabilities
The project was executed under some of the most demanding operating conditions in the world. The Puga Valley’s extreme weather, high-altitude environment, rugged landscape and limited annual construction window presented major engineering challenges throughout the drilling process.
Officials said the first geothermal well reached its target depth of 1,000 metres on May 22, 2026. Work on the second well began on June 3, and it was successfully drilled and completed to the same depth by July 8, demonstrating efficient project execution despite the harsh conditions.
Project Expected to Strengthen Clean Energy Goals
Describing the commissioning as a landmark achievement, VK Saxena said the geothermal project would contribute significantly to Ladakh’s clean energy ambitions while strengthening regional energy security and supporting environmentally sustainable development. He added that the initiative could become an important model for future geothermal projects across India and support the country’s broader net-zero objectives.
The Lieutenant Governor also commended the engineers and technical teams from the ONGC Energy Centre for successfully delivering the project under challenging circumstances, stating that their work highlights India’s growing expertise in executing complex engineering projects on a global standard.