Arunachal Explores Geothermal Energy Potential for Remote and Border Areas

Read Time:1 Minute, 45 Second

ITANAGAR, October 5 : Arunachal Pradesh is exploring the potential of geothermal energy to provide clean, reliable and locally generated power, particularly in remote and strategically located border areas of the state, Science and Technology Minister Dasanglu Pul said.

Pul, accompanied by Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) Director Tana Tage and departmental geologists, visited the ONGC Geothermal Project at Puga Valley in Ladakh to study geothermal exploration, drilling and clean-energy generation under high-altitude Himalayan conditions.

The visit assumes significance as geothermal prospects have been identified in the Mago-Thingbu belt of Tawang district, with the state estimating a potential of around 10–15 MW.

Scientific investigations into Arunachal Pradesh’s geothermal resources have been underway for several years. In March 2024, CESHS, in collaboration with the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute and Iceland-based Geotropy, conducted field investigations and geological structural mapping of hot-spring sites at Mago, Thingbu and other locations.

The studies are aimed at assessing the state’s geothermal resources for various applications, including electricity generation, heating and cooling, agricultural produce drying and other locally suitable clean-energy uses.

CESHS and Oil India Limited have subsequently moved towards pre-feasibility studies involving surface and subsurface investigations at Mago, Thingbu, Damteng and Tsechu in Tawang district.

Field investigations have also been carried out at five identified geothermal sites in Tawang—Damteng, Grengkhar, Mago, Thingbu and Tsechu—where samples were collected for geochemical analysis.

“Arunachal Pradesh is blessed with immense natural resources, and our endeavour is to harness this potential responsibly for a sustainable future,” Pul said.

She said the technical insights and field experience gained from the Puga geothermal project would strengthen Arunachal Pradesh’s efforts to assess and develop its own geothermal resources, particularly for remote and strategically important border areas where conventional power infrastructure can be challenging.

Pul also appreciated ONGC and its execution partner SEROS for sharing their technical expertise and field experience during the visit.

The state government is expected to continue scientific and technical assessments to determine the feasibility, scale and suitable applications of geothermal energy in Arunachal Pradesh.