New Delhi: India has identified a potential of approximately 10,600 MW of geothermal power, according to the Geological Survey of India's (GSI) report titled ‘Geothermal Atlas of India, 2022’. The GSI conducted extensive exploration across 381 thermally anomalous areas in the country, collecting data on temperature, discharge, and water quality in various geothermal fields, said minister of new and renewable energy Pralhad Joshi, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

A 20 kW pilot geothermal power plant has been commissioned by Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) in the Manuguru area of Bhadradri Kothagudem district in Telangana. The plant utilizes a closed loop Binary Organic Rankine Cycle Process technology, which has been successfully demonstrated.

The ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) supports the development of indigenous technologies for new and renewable energy through the Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development Programme (RE-RTD). However, no specific allocation in the R&D budget has been made for geothermal energy over the last five years by MNRE. The Ministry of Coal allocated Rs 2.42 Crore, which was utilized for establishing the pilot geothermal power plant in Telangana.

India has collaborated internationally to advance its geothermal energy efforts. An MoU signed on October 9, 2007, between India and Iceland identified geothermal energy as a cooperation area. Similarly, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, signed on October 29, 2019, also recognized geothermal energy as a focus area. Additionally, under the Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP) launched on August 29, 2023, between India and the USA, geothermal energy has been identified as a key area of collaboration.

The MNRE provides up to 100% financial support to government and non-profit research organizations and up to 70% to industry, start-ups, private institutes, entrepreneurs, and manufacturing units under the Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development Programme, including for geothermal energy R&D projects.