India has made a big stride in its quest to advance renewable energy with the introduction of National Policy on Geothermal Energy 2025. This historic policy aims to exploit the geothermal resources of the nation, which are not in use yet, meeting the objectives of India as a whole to go Net Zero in 2070. It also offers a clear guideline on how to explore, develop and exploit geothermal energy as a source of electricity and direct use purposes.
Policy Overview
The geothermal energy is also identified as a reliable and clean alternative in the policy announced by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). It stimulates research, innovation, and international cooperation and ensures the inter-ministerial coordination of projects to become fast-tracked. It is aimed at introducing geothermal in the renewable energy portfolio of India, decreasing the reliance on fossil fuels, and enhancing the energy security in the long term.
Uses of Geothermal Energy.
Geothermal energy can be used in power generation contrary to other renewable sources. The policy lays emphasis on its direct applications of ground source heat pump (GSHP) which includes district heating, aquaculture, agriculture, green house farming, tourism, desalination, cold storage, space cooling and refrigeration. The geothermal energy can be exploited in various industries as a sustainable development tool through such applications.
Technology and Innovation
As part of the development of the industry, the policy supports hybrid geothermal-solar power generation plants and reuse of abandoned oil wells to generate geothermal energy. It also endorses the most modern technologies such as Enhanced and Advanced Geothermal Systems (EGS/AGS). Research and development projects are being prioritized to get over geological and technical challenges as well as enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Execution and Teamwork.
The nodal agency to execute the MNRE will be the MNRE. During the first stage, five pilot activities and resource evaluation studies have been approved. Permits of exploration and 30-year operating lease will be available to developers. Single-window clearance systems are advised to be established by state governments in order to facilitate approvals. The cooperation with oil and gas corporations, international geothermal organizations, and research centers is also a major characteristic of the policy.
The Geothermal Potential of India.
There are 10 geothermal provinces and 381 hot springs of India, located in the following states Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These areas point to the huge potential India has to exploit.
Significance
Geothermal energy has a continuous power supply, a constant supply unlike solar and wind which is dependent on weather. The new policy will not only enhance renewable energy portfolio of India, but it will also provide a leeway that would propel the country towards sustainable economic growth because it minimizes carbon emissions, enhances energy security and creates green jobs.