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ONGC plans June drilling for India’s first geothermal project in Ladakh
Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) is planning to mount a fresh drilling campaign in June for India’s first geothermal project after suffering a setback two years ago. If successful, the project could open a source for emission-free electricity, space heating, and irrigation in the cold and harsh terrains of Ladakh.
The company plans to begin drilling the first well in the second or third week of June and complete two geothermal wells of 1,000 meters depth each by September-end, ONGC energy centre director general Ravi, who is overseeing the project at Puga in Ladakh, told ET.
If all goes well, a power plant of at least 1 MW capacity will be set up by next year, he added. The geothermal wells help pipe hot water or steam to the surface, which then is used to power a turbine to generate electricity.
Water with a temperature of 220 degrees centigrade is expected at Puga. The steam could be first used to produce electricity and then for space heating, aqua farming and herbal spa. ONGC is being advised by consultants from Iceland, a country that depends on geothermal for two-thirds of its primary energy.
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