India's First Geothermal Power Project in Ladakh's Puga Valley

planned

India's first geothermal power project will be built in Ladakh's Puga Valley at an altitude of 14,000 feet. The project involves a 1-MWe pilot geothermal plant and preparation of a detailed project report for commercial exploitation. ONGC drilled the deepest geothermal well in Ladakh in 2025, reaching 405 metres with subsurface temperatures exceeding 240 degrees Celsius. The pilot plant is expected to operate at a turbine inlet temperature of around 200 degrees Celsius and generate about 1 MW of electricity. The second phase will involve surveys and drilling in the Chumathang region. Testing, evaluation, and commissioning of the pilot plant are expected during the 2026–27 financial year.