ONGC completes India's first deep geothermal wells at Puga, Ladakh: what it means for clean energy
indiacsr.inONGC has finished drilling India's first deep geothermal wells at Puga in Ladakh. The project targets underground heat to generate electricity and provide direct heat for local use. It is a step toward diversifying India's renewable energy mix beyond solar and wind, especially in remote high-altitude regions where grid connection is difficult. Geothermal energy offers a steady baseload power source with a small land footprint. If the Puga wells produce commercially viable temperatures and flow rates, the model could be replicated in other Himalayan geothermal zones. That would reduce diesel dependence in off-grid areas and cut emissions from backup generators. The key question is cost. Deep geothermal drilling is expensive and carries geological risk. The article does not give specific figures for well depth, temperature reached, or expected power output. Without those numbers, it is hard to judge whether this is a breakthrough or an expensive pilot. The outcome will depend on sustained flow rates and the levelized cost of electricity versus local solar-plus-battery systems.