Arunachal Pradesh explores geothermal energy for border regions

Arunachal Pradesh is investigating geothermal energy potential to provide clean and reliable power to remote and strategically important border regions. Science and Technology Minister Dasanglu Pul recently visited the ONGC Geothermal Project in Ladakh to study high-altitude drilling and energy generation techniques.

Geothermal prospects have been identified in the Mago-Thingbu belt of the Tawang district, with an estimated potential of 10-15 MW. Scientific investigations have been ongoing for several years, including field studies conducted by the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) in collaboration with the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute and Iceland-based Geotropy.

Pre-feasibility studies involving surface and subsurface investigations are being conducted at sites including Mago, Thingbu, Damteng, and Tsechu. These resources are being assessed for various applications, such as electricity generation, heating, cooling, and agricultural drying.