WHY IN NEWS
- A PIB backgrounder on Geothermal Energy highlighted India's policy framework and resource potential.
- Geothermal energy is receiving attention as a firm renewable source that can complement variable solar and wind generation.
- India's policy seeks to move from resource mapping toward exploration, demonstration and commercial utilisation.
TOP DATA & FACTS
- National Policy notification: 15 September 2025.
- Estimated Indian geothermal potential: about 10,600 MW.
- GSI exploration covers about 381 hot springs.
- About 42 geothermal manifestations have been identified as promising.
- Geothermal energy uses heat stored within the Earth.
- It can generate electricity or provide direct heat.
- Resources can occur in tectonically active zones, hot-spring regions and deep sedimentary basins.
- Geothermal plants can provide relatively steady generation compared with weather-dependent renewables.
- Exploration risk is high because drilling may fail to find commercially useful temperature or flow.
- Direct-use applications include space heating, greenhouses, drying and industrial heat.
- Enhanced geothermal systems seek to exploit hot rock where natural permeability is insufficient.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
- Hot springs have been used for bathing and heating for centuries.
- Modern geothermal electricity developed in the twentieth century in volcanically active regions.
- India's geothermal exploration has historically been led by geological surveys and research institutions.
- Pilot interest has included Himalayan and other geothermal provinces.
- The 2025 national policy provides a more explicit framework for development and investment.
ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE
- Geothermal projects have high exploration and drilling costs but low fuel costs.
- Firm renewable generation can reduce balancing requirements in suitable grids.
- Direct heat may be more economical than electricity generation at moderate temperatures.
- Local resource use can reduce fossil-fuel dependence.
- Risk-sharing mechanisms can help address uncertain exploration outcomes.
GEOGRAPHICAL PERSPECTIVE
- Geothermal resources are strongly controlled by geology, faults, heat flow and groundwater circulation.
- The Himalaya contains several well-known hot-spring systems.
- Tectonic and volcanic settings often have higher geothermal gradients.