India Commissions First Geothermal Wells in Ladakh’s Puga Valley, Paving Way for Historic Clean Energy Project

The project was inaugurated by VK Saxena, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh. Officials said the two geothermal wells are critical for the successful implementation of the 1 MW pilot geothermal power project at Puga, which will become India’s first demonstration-scale geothermal power project.

The Ladakh Administration stated that the project had faced a significant setback after the expiry of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between the Ladakh Administration, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Council Leh and ONGC Energy Centre. The expiry of the agreement resulted in a delay of several months in project execution.

Recognising the strategic importance of geothermal energy for India’s energy security and clean energy transition, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena personally intervened to facilitate the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding for another five years in June this year. Following the renewal, work resumed for the completion of the two geothermal wells.

A spokesman of the Ladakh Administration said the successful completion of the two wells would enable critical reservoir evaluation, power plant planning and the eventual commercial development of geothermal resources in Ladakh.

Project engineers reported that a maximum temperature of 135 degrees Celsius was recorded at a depth of 400 metres. Further testing is underway, and engineers are hopeful of achieving higher temperatures required for the operation of the 1 MW pilot geothermal power project and future commercial exploration of geothermal energy.

Officials said that despite encountering geothermal activity, complex underground conditions and operational challenges, the first well was successfully drilled to its target depth of 1,000 metres on 22 May 2026. The second geothermal well was started on 3 June 2026 and was successfully drilled and completed to a depth of 1,000 metres on 8 July 2026, within a record period of just over one month.

VK Saxena described the commissioning of the geothermal wells as a historic milestone in India’s clean energy journey and a defining moment in Ladakh’s transition towards a carbon-neutral future.

“This geothermal power project would act as a catalyst for Ladakh’s holistic development. Beyond its scientific significance, this initiative will strengthen Ladakh’s energy security, promote environmental sustainability and contribute to regional socio-economic development. What has been achieved in Puga Valley would serve as a blueprint for India’s net-zero journey and significantly contribute towards making Ladakh a carbon-neutral and environmentally sustainable region,” Saxena said.