Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Ocean Thermal Energy Plant to Provide Clean Water in Lakshadweep by 2026
Imagine the ocean has warm water on top and very cold water deep down.
Scientists have found a way to use this temperature difference to make electricity, like a giant, natural battery.
This is called Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion, or OTEC.
In a place called Lakshadweep, they are building a special machine that will use this OTEC power.
This power will run another machine that turns salty ocean water into fresh, clean drinking water.
This new system will start working in 2026 and will make a lot of clean water every day.
Right now, the machines that make clean water there use power from smelly diesel, but the OTEC machine will use clean ocean power instead.
This is good for the environment because it makes clean water without pollution.
An Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plant is set to begin operations in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep in 2026.
The plant will generate up to 60 kilowatts of power using temperature differences in ocean water.
This energy will power a desalination plant producing 150,000 liters of clean water daily.
OTEC technology generates electricity by utilizing the temperature difference between warm surface water and cold deep ocean water.
The new plant aims to provide clean water from a clean energy source, unlike current desalination plants in Lakshadweep that use diesel generators.
- Who
- National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT)
- What
- An Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plant designed to provide clean energy for desalination, producing clean water.
- When
- Commencing operations in 2026
- Where
- Kavaratti, Lakshadweep
- Why
- To provide a clean energy source for desalination, addressing the need for clean water in Lakshadweep and reducing reliance on diesel generators for desalination.
Current Desalination Method
Proposed OTEC Desalination
Energy Source for Desalination
Current Desalination Method
Currently relies on diesel generators.
Proposed OTEC Desalination
Will utilize clean energy from Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC).
- Project Location
- Kavaratti, Lakshadweep
- Technology
- Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and Desalination
- Operator/Developer
- National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT)
- Expected Start Date
- 2026
- Power Generation
- Up to 60 kilowatts
- Daily Water Production
- 150,000 liters of desalinated water