9 hrs ago
Arunachal Explores Geothermal Power for Remote Border Areas
Arunachal Pradesh is studying whether heat from underground can provide clean energy.
The state hopes this could help people in remote and border areas get reliable local power.
Minister Dasanglu Pul visited a geothermal project in Ladakh to learn about exploration and drilling.
Scientists have also studied hot-spring areas in Tawang district.
The state estimates that the Mago-Thingbu area may have potential for around 10 to 15 megawatts.
More studies are being planned to understand what the resource can do.
It might be used to make electricity, heat or cool places, and dry farm produce.
The studies have not yet established that a power facility will be built.
Arunachal Pradesh is assessing geothermal energy as a source of clean, reliable, locally generated power, especially for remote and border areas.
Science and Technology Minister Dasanglu Pul visited ONGC’s geothermal project in Puga Valley, Ladakh, with CESHS Director Tana Tage and departmental geologists.
The state estimates geothermal potential of around 10–15 MW in the Mago-Thingbu belt of Tawang district.
Investigations have included geological mapping and fieldwork at hot-spring locations, with samples collected at five Tawang sites for geochemical analysis.
CESHS and Oil India Limited have moved towards pre-feasibility studies; possible uses include electricity, heating, cooling and agricultural produce drying.
- Who
- Arunachal Pradesh Science and Technology Minister Dasanglu Pul, accompanied on her visit by CESHS Director Tana Tage and departmental geologists.
- What
- The state is investigating geothermal energy potential and possible local uses.
- Where
- The visited project is in Puga Valley, Ladakh; the state's geothermal investigations are in Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh.
- When
- Pul's visit was reported on October 3; field investigations were conducted in March 2024, and studies have been underway for several years.
- Why
- To assess whether geothermal energy can provide clean, reliable, locally generated power and support other suitable uses, particularly in remote and border areas.
Key facts
- Estimated potential
- Around 10–15 MW in the Mago-Thingbu belt of Tawang district.
- Minister
- Dasanglu Pul, Arunachal Pradesh Science and Technology Minister.
- Project visited
- ONGC Geothermal Project at Puga Valley, Ladakh.
- March 2024 fieldwork
- CESHS, the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute and Iceland-based Geotropy carried out field investigations and geological structural mapping.
- Tawang sites
- Damteng, Grengkhar, Mago, Thingbu and Tsechu; samples were collected for geochemical analysis.
- Pre-feasibility work
- CESHS and Oil India Limited moved towards surface and subsurface investigations at Mago, Thingbu, Damteng and Tsechu.
- Potential uses
- Electricity generation, heating and cooling, agricultural produce drying, and other locally suitable clean-energy uses.
Quotes
Dasanglu Pul
Arunachal Pradesh Science and Technology Minister
“Arunachal Pradesh is blessed with immense natural resources, and our endeavour is to harness this potential responsibly for a sustainable future.”
theprint.in
thehansindia.com
Sources
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