Earlier this year, the ONGC announced plans of conducting a country-wide mapping of geothermal energy sources in India. This now seems to be progressing with the signing of an agreement with Iceland GeoSurvey (ISOR) for geothermal exploration and development services. ISOR had previously already been working with ONGC for the Puga Valley geothermal project.
“Initial studies have revealed that there are rich geothermal sources are in Ladakh, Himachal, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. We are concentrating first in Ladakh, then it will be Gujarat followed by the southern areas,” clarified ONGC Energy Centre Director General Ravi.
Geothermal drilling at the Puga Valley started in the 2nd half of 2022, producing encouraging results at shallow depth. Drilling operations then had to be paused during winter, with plans to resume by April 2023.
Despite the weather window opening up, drilling operations have been stalled by logistical challenges caused the construction and repair of several bridges leading to the project site. ONGC is currently in process of negotiating with the Border Roads Organization (BRO) and the Indian Army to consider the airlifting of equipment and components so that drilling can start again.
“If the drilling begins this year, we can expect the 1 MW pilot project to become operational next year. Once Puga is successful, the second phase of drilling can begin at Chumathang, at an aerial distance of 12 kms. If the two reservoirs can be interconnected, we can have a 100 MW power plant,” assured the Director General.
