National Strategy on Geothermal Energy 2025

Concerning the National Geothermal Energy Policy 2025:

What Is It?

An extensive framework released by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) to tap into India's 10 GW geothermal capacity, align it with renewable energy objectives, and establish a public-private partnership for sustainable progress.

(MNRE)

Goals:

Research & Innovation: Enhance geothermal exploration, drilling techniques, reservoir management, economical power generation, and direct-use technology.

Collaboration: Partner with government ministries, research organizations, international geothermal bodies, and the oil/gas industry.

Decarbonization: Encourage geothermal for heating/cooling spaces, industrial use, agriculture, and tourism.

Infrastructure Usage: Reuse deserted oil and gas wells for geothermal energy generation.

Main Attributes:

Vision & Objectives:

Establish geothermal as a key component of India's renewable energy portfolio.

Improve energy security and promote Net Zero by 2070.

Geothermal Capabilities:

GSI has identified 381 hot springs; there are 10 geothermal provinces, which include the Himalayas, Cambay Graben, Godavari Basin, and Aravalli.

Puga (Ladakh), Manikaran (HP), and Tattapani (Chhattisgarh) identified as areas with significant potential.

Policy Scope:

Includes electricity production, district heating and cooling, cold storage solutions, greenhouse heating, aquaculture, tourism, and desalination processes.

Promotes hybrid systems (geothermal + solar) and mineral extraction (lithium, boron) for financial sustainability.

Model of Development:

Full foreign direct investment allowed in geothermal industry.

Encourages risk-sharing strategies, collaborative ventures with oil and gas firms, and streamlined approval processes by state governments.

Financial incentives: GST and import duty waivers, tax breaks, rapid depreciation, viability gap financing.

Execution:

MNRE serving as the central agency for coordination across ministries.

Creation of Geothermal Centres of Excellence for research and development as well as pilot initiatives.

Regular progress updates and SOP-driven implementation for quicker deployment.