Geothermal energy uses Earth’s natural heat to generate electricity or provide heating.
The new wells in Puga Valley are the first step toward a 1‑megawatt test plant.
India has identified 42 promising sites for geothermal power.
Enhanced geothermal systems and advanced geothermal systems are new technologies that could expand use.
Repurposing unused oil wells could make geothermal projects cheaper.
In July 2026, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Energy Centre started two deep wells in Puga Valley, Ladakh, over 14,000 feet high.
Each well is about 1,000 metres deep and will help test a 1‑megawatt demonstration power plant.
The country has mapped 381 hot springs and sees about 10.6 gigawatts of possible power from heat underground.
Scientists also plan to turn old oil and gas wells into geothermal wells to lower costs.
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