Lieutenant Governor, R K Mathur attended the international webinar titled "Geothermal Energy Technologies; Exploring prospects and the way forward in Ladakh" on September 22.

The event was an initiative of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Ladakh.

 Lieutenant Governor thanked CII, Iceland GeoSurvey (ISOR), and ONGC for their efforts towards a Geothermal project in Ladakh and highlighted the significance of Puga valley as one of the major Geothermal sites in India.

R K Mathur informed that Ladakh has a potential of almost 30,000 MW of non-conventional energy which is generated primarily by Solar and Wind energies; followed by Hydel and Geothermal energies. He stressed on the reliability and 24 hours availability of geothermal energy against other sources. He stated that aspects such as estimated production, cost, and the time frame of the project need to be looked at.

Looking at Ladakh’s perennial problem pertaining to vegetable/agriculture production in the plains of Puga valley, Mathur suggested exploring possibilities of cultivation by means of constructing greenhouses for use of heat energy produced by Geothermal energy. Considering Ladakh’s Tourism industry and highlighting the usage of the available energy on a commercial scale, he also suggested the development of a tourism complex offering medicinal baths and treatments through Sowa Rigpa practices. 

Ravinder Kumar, Secretary Power, UT Ladakh; Nawang Thinless, Chairman CII Ladakh; Dr. Sanjeev S. Katti, Director-General ONGC Energy Centre; Bjarni Richter, Director-General Iceland GeoSurvey (ISOR) and Stanzin Chospel, Vice Chairman CII Ladakh attended the webinar.