India Taps Global Partnerships to Unlock Geothermal Energy Potential
India is steadily expanding its renewable energy portfolio, and while solar and wind have taken center stage, the government is now turning its attention to a largely untapped resource — geothermal energy. With the launch of the National Policy on Geothermal Energy (2025), India is seeking international technology collaborations with countries like the United States, Norway, Iceland, and Indonesia to fast-track development in this promising sector.
Why Geothermal, Why Now?
Unlike solar and wind, which are intermittent in nature, geothermal energy provides continuous, baseload power. India has identified around 10 gigawatts of geothermal potential across regions such as the Himalayas, the Cambay Basin, Rajasthan, and even abandoned oil wells.
Apart from electricity generation, geothermal can also be used for heating, cooling, agriculture, and industrial applications, offering a versatile solution for India’s growing energy needs.
The Pilot Projects
To kickstart this initiative, the government has approved five pilot projects that cover both electricity generation and direct-use cases:
- Electricity from abandoned oil wells in Barmer, Rajasthan (Vedanta’s oil fields).
- Geothermal heating systems for a military base in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.
- Cooling applications tested through geothermal validation projects.
- Shallow geothermal energy mapping for better resource planning.
- Hybrid solar-geothermal generation to test integrated models.
These pilots will serve as a foundation for scaling up geothermal applications across the country.
Why Global Collaborations Matter
India’s geothermal journey faces challenges — high upfront exploration costs, drilling risks, and limited domestic expertise. That’s where collaborations come in.
- US: Advanced drilling technologies and enhanced geothermal system research.
- Norway & Iceland: Decades of experience in large-scale geothermal power and heating projects.
- Indonesia: Proven expertise in harnessing geothermal in diverse terrains.
These partnerships will not only bring technology transfer and joint R&D but also open doors to investment, funding, and knowledge sharing.
Policy & Support Framework
To make geothermal attractive, the MNRE policy provides for:
- Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and concessional loans.
- Tax and duty benefits for imported equipment.
- Resource mapping & data repositories for developers.
- Clear SOPs and regulations to streamline project development.
This mix of financial support and international expertise could give geothermal energy the push it needs to move from potential to practice.
Looking Ahead
Geothermal energy won’t replace solar or wind, but it can complement India’s renewable mix by providing stable, round-the-clock power. Success of the pilot projects will be crucial in demonstrating cost-effectiveness and scalability.
If implemented well, geothermal could be a game-changer for remote regions like the Himalayas and Ladakh, reduce fossil fuel reliance for heating/cooling, and contribute significantly to India’s net-zero ambitions by 2070.
