During the meeting, the joint working group decided to emphasize cooperation in the field of geothermal energy utilization. In this context, cooperation agreement was concluded between ÍSOR, Verkís, and the Indian company Techon Engineers with the Indian oil company ONGC and another cooperation agreement with Oil India. Both agreements involve looking at opportunities in geothermal energy, and the possible utilization of boreholes that the companies own.
Esha Srivastava, Secretary at the Indian Ministry of Petroleum led the Indian delegation and is leading the task force on their behalf. Representatives of ONGC and Oil India also participated in the meeting. Benedikt Höskuldsson, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ special envoy in the field of climate affairs, leads the work on behalf of Iceland.
Geothermal exploration has become more active in India in recent years. ONGC will resume drilling this summer at the Puga Valley geothermal project in the Ladkah district of Himalaya and the task force will participate in the project. It is planned to drill two wells this summer and use them for energy production next year.
Likewise, Oil India plans to start research on geothermal exploitation in Himachal Pradesh district in the western Himalayas with the participation of the task force.
In addition to geothermal utilization, both oil companies are very interested in carbon capture and had conversations with CarbFix and Carbon Recycling International during the visit to Iceland.
It should also be mentioned that the Icelandic company Geotropy is collaborating with an Indian company in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh region, on the use of geothermal heat for cooling apples, but it is expected to install cold storage for 1000 tons of apples later this year.
Meeting of the joint working group of Iceland and India in the field of renewable energy and climate issues (source: Government of Iceland)
