Geothermal Energy Potential of India

Abstract

The survey and studies conducted by Geological Survey of India led to the identification of about 340 geothermal hot springs in nine different geothermal fields in the country. Geothermal exploration carried out in India, so far, has generated valuable data through extensive scientific studies backed-up by drilling down to the at selected geothermal locations such as Puga, Manikaran, Tatapani, etc. concerning structural, geological, geo-chemical, hydrological and thermal parameter of geothermal systems. Initial estimates of promising geothermal manifestation suggest power generation potential of about 10000 MW. In India the use of geothermal energy has been demonstrated for small scale power generation, in cold storage unit, in mushroom cultivation and poultry farming in Manikaran area of Himachal Pradesh and Laddakh region of Jammu & Kashmir. Keeping in view the potential and environmentally benign nature of geothermal power it is felt necessary to develop some of the geothermal sites in the country for power generation on commercial basis.