In a landmark achievement for India's clean energy mission, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on July 17 commissioned the country's first and deepest geothermal wells at Puga Valley in Ladakh, developed by the ONGC Energy Centre. The milestone marks a major step towards establishing India's first geothermal power plant and advancing the vision of a carbon-neutral Ladakh.

The commissioning of the two 1,000-metre-deep geothermal wells, drilled at an altitude of over 14,000 feet, is expected to significantly strengthen Ladakh's transition into a renewable energy hub, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of promoting clean and sustainable energy.
The wells are crucial for the implementation of the 1 MW pilot geothermal power project at Puga, which will be India's first demonstration-scale geothermal power project.

The project had earlier faced significant delays following the expiry of the tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) among the Ladakh Administration, LAHDC Leh and the ONGC Energy Centre. Recognising the strategic importance of geothermal energy, Lt. Governor Saxena facilitated the renewal of the MoU for another five years in June this year, enabling work on the project to resume.

The successful completion of the wells will facilitate reservoir evaluation, power plant planning, and the eventual commercial development of geothermal resources in Ladakh. According to project engineers, a temperature of 135°C has already been recorded at a depth of 400 metres, with further testing underway to assess the reservoir's full potential for power generation.

The project has been executed in one of the world's most challenging environments, marked by extreme weather, rugged terrain, and a short annual working season.

Despite difficult subsurface conditions and geothermal activity, the first well reached its target depth of 1,000 metres on May 22, 2026. The second well, spudded on June 3, was completed to the same depth on July 8, in just over a month.

Addressing the gathering, Lt. Governor Saxena described the commissioning as a historic milestone in India's clean energy journey and a defining moment in Ladakh's transition towards a carbon-neutral future.

"This geothermal power project will act as a catalyst for Ladakh's holistic development. Beyond its scientific significance, it will strengthen energy security, promote environmental sustainability, and contribute to the region's socio-economic development. The achievement at Puga Valley will serve as a blueprint for India's net-zero journey and help make Ladakh a carbon-neutral and environmentally sustainable region," he said.

The Lt. Governor also praised the ONGC engineers and workers for successfully executing the technically challenging project under extreme conditions.

He said the accomplishment reflects the expertise of Indian engineers and stands as a testament to the determination, resilience, and perseverance of everyone associated with the project.