The policy aims to promote scientific and technological research to explore and develop economically and environmentally viable geothermal resources.

Geothermal Energy

• It refers to the thermal (heat) energy derived from the Earth's subsurface.  
  • This energy is partly residual heat generated during Earth’s formation and partly from continuous and spontaneous radioactive decay of naturally occurring isotopes within the Earth’s core and mantle.
• This energy can be extracted using geothermal technology for heating and cooling, electricity generation and energy storage.
  • Conventional Geothermal Technologies exploit hydrothermal reservoirs where geothermal heat is carried to the surface by naturally occurring subsurface fluids. 
  • Next-Generation Geothermal Technologies harvest heat at greater depths by circulating a fluid from the surface through engineered systems and are hydrothermal reservoir independent. 
    • These Include Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGSs) and Closed-Loop Geothermal Systems (CLGSs).
• Potential in India: Geothermal Atlas of India, 2022, estimates a potential of about 10,600 MW. 
  • Puga and Chumathang in Ladakh are most promising geothermal fields in India. 
• Benefits: Around the clock electricity generation, high utilization rate (over 75% in 2023), low emissions etc. 
• Challenges: Relatively high technology cost, limited R&D, environmental concerns, licensing processes etc.