India's first geothermal wells commissioned in Ladakh's Puga Valley for 1 MW pilot project

India has commissioned its first and deepest geothermal wells in the Puga Valley of Ladakh, at an altitude of over 14,000 feet. The two 1,000-meter-deep wells were drilled by the ONGC Energy Centre and are part of a 1 MW demonstration-scale geothermal power project. The project faced delays after an earlier MoU expired, but was renewed for five years in June 2026. A maximum temperature of 135 degrees Celsius was recorded at 400 meters depth, with further testing underway to support the pilot plant and future commercial development. The project operates in one of the most challenging environments on Earth, with extreme weather and a short working season. The first well reached target depth on May 22, 2026, and the second was completed on July 8. Officials say the wells will help evaluate the reservoir, plan the power plant, and eventually scale up geothermal energy in the region. This is a concrete step for India's clean energy transition, especially in a remote area that currently relies on diesel or imported power.