New Delhi – A feature in Dialogue Earth raises the question of whether India can tap its estimated 10 gigawatts of geothermal power using domestically developed technology. The article notes that the country’s geothermal resources are largely concentrated in the Himalayan belt, the Deccan Plateau and parts of the western coast, but remain largely untapped compared to other renewable sources such as solar and wind.
The piece cites a 2023 Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) report that estimates the technical potential of geothermal energy at around 10 GW, enough to meet roughly 2 % of India’s projected 2030 electricity demand. However, the same report acknowledges that only a handful of pilot projects have been commissioned, most of them in partnership with foreign firms.
Dialogue Earth highlights several domestic initiatives aimed at building indigenous geothermal capability. One is the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee’s research program, which has reportedly developed a low‑cost drilling technique that could reduce borehole expenses by up to 30 %. Another effort involves a consortium of Indian start‑ups and public‑sector undertakings that claim to be working on a proprietary binary‑cycle plant design, which they say could operate efficiently at the moderate temperatures (150‑200 °C) typical of many Indian sites.
The article also references statements from MNRE officials who say the government plans to launch a “Geothermal Development Scheme” in the 2026‑27 fiscal year, offering seed funding and tax incentives to firms that meet criteria for indigenous technology use. The policy is presented as part of India’s broader push to diversify its clean‑energy mix and reduce reliance on imported equipment.
Analysis: If the domestic technologies described prove viable, they could address two persistent barriers to geothermal expansion in India: high drilling costs and the lack of equipment suited to the country’s moderate‑temperature resources. Reducing dependence on foreign suppliers would also align with the government’s “Make in India” agenda, potentially attracting private capital that is currently hesitant about long‑term returns on imported technology.
Nevertheless, the article cautions that commercial rollout remains uncertain. Geothermal projects typically require substantial upfront investment and long lead times, and India’s regulatory framework for geothermal licensing is still evolving. Moreover, independent verification of the claimed cost reductions and plant efficiencies is limited, as most data come from pilot studies or early‑stage prototypes.
The piece concludes that while homegrown technology could lower entry barriers, unlocking India’s geothermal potential will likely depend on coordinated policy support, clear regulatory pathways and sustained R&D funding.
Sources
– Dialogue Earth, “Could India’s geothermal potential be unlocked by homegrown technology?” (Google News India) https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipgFBVV95cUxOaEJuczNVSERLQkVTcWFfTUZvc1o2eWhUYVJNV2pEa2VNZDY1RllrN3VTWGYzX0puTmJIXzB0MlVDQWZPY2RDYUVfNUhXbGw1Q3o1a2pvVllQU0dNS1FnNk1jU2lBUzMyek9DN2pteW1qMllhTjQwNXJ2eWZVV2RCcGwyZTZTTHdVbWxhalpocVZMRy10SU1oU2ZpTUdlS085R0tUMExR?oc=5
Story synopsis gathered from: Google News India — source
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