Ladakh Drills Into History: India’s First & Deepest Geothermal Wells Go Live At Puga

Published 17 July 2026 · india

Ladakh Drills Into History: India’s First & Deepest Geothermal Wells Go Live At Puga Reported By, Last Updated: July 18, 2026, 05:07 IST The two

Ladakh Drills Into History: India’s First & Deepest Geothermal Wells Go Live At Puga Reported By, Last Updated: July 18, 2026, 05:07 IST The two 1,000-metre-deep wells, drilled by ONGC Energy Centre at over 14,000 feet, mark a big step towards creating India’s first 1 MW pilot geothermal power project in the region Officials say the successful drilling is expected to accelerate the development of geothermal energy in Ladakh, reduce dependence on diesel-based power in remote areas, and support the broader national goal of a carbon-neutral Ladakh and Net-Zero India. Image/News18 In a landmark achievement for India’s renewable energy sector, the Union Territory of Ladakh on Friday successfully commissioned the country’s first and deepest geothermal wells at Puga Valley. The two 1,000-metre-deep wells, drilled by the ONGC Energy Centre at an altitude exceeding 14,000 feet, mark a major step towards establishing India’s first 1 MW pilot geothermal power project in the region. Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena announced the milestone in an official post, calling it “a historic and proud moment in India’s journey towards green, renewable energy".

“Successfully commissioned India’s first and deepest, two geothermal wells, today at Puga Valley in Ladakh. Drilled at a high altitude of over 14,000 ft, these two 1000-meter-deep wells by the ONGC Energy Centre also pave the way for setting up of India’s first 1 MW pilot geothermal power project in Ladakh," he said on X. The project overcomes some of the most challenging conditions in the country—high altitude, extreme cold, unpredictable geothermal activity, and complex subsurface geology—and was completed in record time by the engineering teams. Officials say the successful drilling is expected to accelerate the development of geothermal energy in Ladakh, reduce dependence on diesel-based power in remote areas, and support the broader national goal of a carbon-neutral Ladakh and Net-Zero India. The Puga Valley has long been identified as one of India’s most promising geothermal sites. The commissioning of these deep wells is being viewed as a critical breakthrough that could open the door for geothermal power generation in the Himalayas.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered How will geothermal energy impact Ladakh's remote areas? Geothermal energy development in Ladakh is expected to reduce dependence on diesel-based power in remote areas and support the goal of a carbon-neutral Ladakh. India's first 1 MW pilot geothermal power project is being established in the region. Could this project lead to more geothermal plants in the Himalayas? The commissioning of India's first and deepest geothermal wells in Ladakh's Puga Valley could pave the way for geothermal power generation in the Himalayas. This pilot project is seen as a critical breakthrough. What are the next steps for India's 1 MW pilot project? The next steps for India's 1 MW pilot geothermal power project include setting up the plant and developing geothermal resources for reliable baseload electricity for Ladakh. The project aims to provide clean energy and potentially pave the way for commercial exploitation of geothermal energy.