India's First Geothermal Wells Drilled at 14,000 Feet in Ladakh, Paving Way for Clean Energy
The Ladakh administration has commissioned India's first geothermal wells in the cold desert region, with two 1,000-metre-deep wells completed in the Puga Valley. Officials describe this as a significant step towards establishing the country's inaugural geothermal power plant.
Located at an altitude of 14,000 feet, the two wells are expected to facilitate a one-megawatt pilot geothermal power project. The project was inaugurated by VK Saxena, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh.
“The two geothermal wells are critical for the successful implementation of the 1 MW pilot geothermal power project at Puga, which will be India's first demonstration-scale geothermal power project,” an official said.
The project faced delays after the expiry of a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Ladakh Administration, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Council Leh, and the ONGC Energy Centre. The administration noted that recognising the strategic importance of geothermal energy, LG Saxena personally intervened to renew the MoU for another five years in June 2025, allowing work to resume.
The successful completion of the two wells will enable critical reservoir evaluation and power plant planning, according to the administration. Engineers reported a maximum temperature of 135°C at a depth of 400 metres, with hopes of achieving higher temperatures for the pilot project and future commercial exploration.
Despite challenging subsurface conditions, the first well reached its target depth of 1,000 metres on 22 May 2025, and the second was completed on 8 July 2025, just over a month after drilling began.
Lieutenant Governor Saxena described the commissioning as a historic milestone in India's clean energy journey and a defining moment for Ladakh's transition towards a carbon-neutral future. “This geothermal power project would act as a catalyst for Ladakh's holistic development. Beyond its scientific significance, this initiative will strengthen Ladakh's energy security, promote environmental sustainability, and contribute to regional socio-economic development,” he said.
Geothermal energy, derived from heat within the Earth, offers a reliable and low-carbon power source, particularly suitable for remote regions like Ladakh. The project is seen as a blueprint for India's net-zero goals.
