Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, during the 2nd CII India Nordic Baltic Business Conclave, announced that India and Iceland are working closely to harness geothermal energy in Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.
According to US Energy Information Administration, Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source produced by the continuous heat within the Earth. The name has been derived from the Greek words geo (earth) and therme (heat),
Radioactive decay in the Earth's core is a continuous process producing geothermal energy. The Earth comprises an inner core of solid iron, an outer core of magma, a mantle, and a crust forming continents and ocean floors.
Scientific findings have revealed the Earth's inner core temperature is at a blazing 5980-degrees Celsius, equivalent to the Sun's surface. The mantle's temperatures range from 200-degree Celsius near the mantle-crust boundary to 4000-degree Celsius near the mantle-core boundary.
The Earth's crust is segmented into tectonic plates. Geothermal energy is concentrated in tectonically active regions. Ladakh, where two such tectonic plates collide, serves as a hotspot for geothermal phenomena such as hot springs.
While specific details of India and Iceland co-operation are limited, Indian’s ambition of building a Geothermal plant in Ladakh, started in 2021. The ONGC Energy Center (OEC) and Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council signed an MoU in February 2021 to establish a 1 MW experimental geothermal power plant, demonstrating India's commitment to exploring sustainable energy sources.
According to a report by a publication focused on climate and biodiversity, The Third Pole, in August 2022, ONGC initiated exploratory drilling to assess Ladakh's geothermal potential. The results surpassed expectations, with temperatures reaching 180-190°C at a depth of 40 meters below the surface.
However, the drilling process encountered unforeseen challenges, including the release of geothermal fluid at a higher volume and pressure then projected. The equipment in place struggled to manage the unexpected discharge.
Ladakh's Secretary of Power Development, Ravinder Kumar, cited two main issues leading to the project's postponement — the departure of the initial contractor due to a lack of experience and underestimation of equipment needed to handle geothermal fluid, resulting in leaks.
When executed correctly, geothermal initiatives have the potential to provide a renewable energy source with zero carbon emissions. However, environmental concerns also arise, specifically in the inappropriate release of contaminants from drilling, posing a risk of harmful chemicals entering groundwater. Given that geothermal energy is harnessed in regions where tectonic plates interact, the drilling process may also induce seismic activity, potentially causing earthquakes.
Despite setbacks, the collaboration between India and Iceland stands as a testament to the dedication to harnessing geothermal energy, emphasising Ladakh's potential as a source of zero-carbon, renewable energy with ongoing efforts to address challenges and propel the project forward.