Unlocking Earth's Inner Power: India's Ambitious Geothermal Energy Policy 2025

Imagine a power source that runs 24/7, isn't dependent on weather, and has a minimal carbon footprint. This isn't a futuristic dream, but the immense potential of geothermal energy, and India is gearing up to harness it with its ambitious National Policy on Geothermal Energy 2025. This policy marks a pivotal moment in India's journey towards sustainable energy, aiming to significantly scale up geothermal capacity by the middle of the next decade, with a target of 1 GW by 2030.

Geothermal energy taps into the heat stored beneath the Earth's surface.

Unlike solar or wind, it provides a consistent, base-load power supply, making it an invaluable addition to any energy grid. India's vast and diverse geological landscape offers significant geothermal potential, particularly in regions like the Himalayas, the West Coast, and various rift valleys. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is spearheading this initiative, recognizing geothermal as a crucial component of the nation's clean energy transition.

The policy outlines a phased approach to development, beginning with a focus on pre-commercialization and resource assessment.

This initial stage involves intensive exploration, drilling, and reservoir characterization to identify viable sites for power generation. It’s a capital-intensive and research-heavy phase, requiring significant investment in technology and expertise. Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are expected to play a leading role in de-risking these early-stage projects, laying the groundwork for broader adoption.

Following successful pre-commercialization, the policy targets the establishment of commercial-scale geothermal power plants.

This phase will involve scaling up projects, attracting private investment, and integrating geothermal energy into the national grid. The government aims to create an enabling environment through various incentives, including favorable power purchase agreements, risk mitigation mechanisms, and financial support.

These measures are designed to reduce the high upfront costs associated with geothermal projects and encourage participation from both domestic and international investors.

The benefits of a robust geothermal sector extend far beyond just clean electricity. It promises to enhance energy security by reducing reliance on fossil fuels, create skilled jobs in exploration, drilling, and plant operation, and contribute to India's climate change commitments under international agreements like the Paris Agreement.

Geothermal also offers opportunities for direct-use applications such as space heating, greenhouses, and aquaculture, further diversifying its utility.

However, the path to widespread geothermal adoption isn't without its challenges. High initial capital costs, the inherent risks associated with subsurface exploration, and the need for specialized technological expertise are significant hurdles.

The policy aims to address these by promoting research and development, fostering international collaborations, and building domestic capacity through training and skill development programs. India's National Policy on Geothermal Energy 2025 is a bold statement of intent, signaling a serious commitment to harness the planet's internal heat for a sustainable and prosperous future.