Uttarakhand Cabinet Approves Geo-Thermal Energy Policy 2025

Uttarakhand has given the go-ahead to Geo-Thermal Energy Policy 2025 to reduce the cost of energy resources and achieve greener solutions by organizing the energy sources of geothermal character. The policy targets at prompting researches, innovations, and advancements of geothermal technologies. Geo-thermal energy depends on the heat inside the earth including leftover heat during the formation of the planets and heat decay of radioactive compounds. It has application potential as heating, cooling, electricity generation, as well as energy storage. This step classifies Uttarakhand as a trendsetter in harnessing clean energy in a long-term environmental and economic interest.

Context

• Uttarakhand Geo-thermal Energy Policy 2025 has been endorsed by Uttarakhand Cabinet, which seeks to encourage research and development activities in geo-thermal energy since it holds promise regarding economically and environmentally viable power sources.

Key Details:

• Geo-Thermal Energy Geo-thermal energy is the energy that is gained through the earth.

• The geothermal energy comes to be as a byproduct of the heat beneath the Earth consisting of the remaining heat that was present since the world was formed and the radioactive heat.

• It may be applied in heating, cooling, power generation and storage.

Technologies:

• The Conventional Geothermal Technologies utilize hydrothermal repositories in which the heat is transmitted through naturally occurring fluids.

• The Next-Generation Technologies such as Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) or Closed-Loop Geothermal Systems (CLGSs) are capable of extracting heat at increased depths; they are also not connected to the hydrothermal reservoirs.

Potential of Geothermal Energy in India:

• India is estimated to have potential capacity of 10,600 MW (Geothermal Atlas of India 2022).

• The most prospective ones in Ladakh are Puga and Chumathang in Ladakh.

Benefits:

• round-the-clock electric power production with substantial utilization rate (more than 75 % in 2023).

• Low emission relative to the conventional sources of energy.

India’s Initiatives:

• The Indian Geothermal Atlas identifies geothermal prospects in the nation.

• A Task Force has been set to tap the geothermal energy in India.

• Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development Programme (RE-RTD) is based on development of geothermal energy.

International Cooperation:

• In Geothermal energy research and development India has formed partnerships with Iceland, Saudi Arabia and Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP) in the USA.

Conclusion:

The process of approving the Uttarakhand Geo-Thermal Energy Policy 2025 will help a long way to access the decade long Geothermal Energy by utilizing its thermal properties to generate power sustainably and with no impact on the environment. This policy will develop the research in geothermal technologies in India, cut down on emissions, bring in a green future of energy and thereby Uttarakhand will be an instrumental figure and take forward the renewable energy sector in India.