ONGC completes two deep geothermal wells in Ladakh Puga Valley project for clean energy

ONGC has drilled and completed two deep geothermal wells in Ladakh's Puga Valley, marking a step toward India's first demonstration-scale geothermal power plant. The project aims to provide round-the-clock clean electricity in a region where solar power drops during harsh winters and diesel is costly. It could also support district heating and agriculture. Geothermal offers baseload renewable power, complementing solar and wind in high-altitude areas. The Puga wells, drilled by ONGC's Energy Centre in partnership with local authorities, are expected to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and help Ladakh meet its carbon-neutral goal. The next challenge is scaling the technology and managing upfront drilling costs. If successful, this project could open other geothermal hotspots in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. For now, it is a concrete example of geothermal deployment in a difficult terrain, with potential lessons for other remote regions.