New Delhi, Feb 8: In a major development, the first geothermal power project of India will be established at Puga village of eastern Ladakh. This decision comes as Puga village was identified as the hotspot of geothermal energy by the scientists.

 

 

A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish and implement the first phase was signed on Saturday between ONGC Energy; LAHDC, Leh, and the Power Department of Ladakh. This geothermal project is known as Geothermal Field Development Project.

 

It should be noted that the project will be completed in four phases and will be committed by the end of 2022.

 

First phase - The first phase of the project will result in the generation of one megawatt (MW) power and the pilot project will be implemented by the ONGC-OEC. It will explore within a depth of 500 meters. Under this phase, it was planned that 24 hours free power supply would be given to 10 neighboring villages that are not connected with the northern grid to get the power.

 

Second phase - In the second phase, deeper and lateral exploration of geothermal reservoirs will be done by drilling the optimal number of wells. Under this phase, higher capacity demo plant will also be set up in Ladakh. It will be the Research and Development stage or demonstration of the project.

 

Third phase - Under the third phase, joint ventures and commercial projects will be promoted.

 

Scientists have discovered the potential of more than 100 MW of geothermal energies which lies in the south-eastern part of Ladakh. The Puga village is a part of the Himalayan geothermal belt. It has shown the evidence of geothermal activity in various forms including mud pools, hot springs, sulphur deposits, and borax deposits. The talk of the potential geothermal project in the Puja Village has been on the news since 2008. The region has the potential to produce about 40% of the energy requirements.