{"id":14577,"date":"2026-07-20T12:38:41","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T07:08:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/?p=14577"},"modified":"2026-07-20T12:38:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T07:08:41","slug":"puga-valley-geothermal-wells","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/puga-valley-geothermal-wells\/","title":{"rendered":"India Commissions First Geothermal Wells at Puga Valley in Ladakh"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Puga Valley Geothermal Wells: The commissioning of its first geothermal exploration wells at Puga Valley in Ladakh is an important step in India&#8217;s transition to renewable energy. The project aims to utilise the internal heat of the earth for the generation of electricity and also use it as a direct heat source, making geothermal energy a new source in India&#8217;s clean energy sector. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The naturally occurring hot springs, fumaroles and high-temperature geothermal reservoirs in Puga Valley, in eastern Ladakh&#8217;s Changthang region, have the highest geothermal potential in the nation. The initiative is in line with the targets of India&#8217;s National Green Hydrogen Mission, Panchamrit goals and the target of achieving elusive Net Zero emissions by 2070.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What is the Puga Valley Geothermal Project?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Puga Geothermal Project is the first dedicated geothermal development project in India that is meant to test the commercial feasibility of harnessing geothermal energy from geothermal reservoirs found in the earth. It consists of deep exploration boreholes to investigate reservoir temperature, pressure, permeability and reclaims of sustainable energy resources from the reservoir.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Objectives of Puga Valley Geothermal Project<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Determine the commercial potential of geothermal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Encourage environmentally sound and dependable base load power generation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Decrease the use of diesel-based electricity in remote Himalayan areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Enhance energy security in border areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Facilitate India&#8217;s transition towards diversifying its energy mix and supporting renewable energy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Improve the capacity for indigenous research on geothermal technologies.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Puga Valley is suitable for geothermal energy for what reason?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Puga Valley (PV) is known as the most promising geothermal field in India due to its special geological attributes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Key Features<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the district of Leh, in the Region of Ladakh.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Close to the Indus Suture Zone, which is a tectonically active zone.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Occurrence of hot springs, fumaroles, mud pools and sulphur deposits.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Underground temperatures that are thought to be in excess of 200\u00b0C in the deeper reservoirs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">One of the hottest geothermal heat flow zones of India.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How Are Geothermal Wells Formed?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A geothermal well is a borehole sunk into a geothermal reservoir lying beneath the surface of the earth, to tap hot water or steam that can be brought to the surface. They are created in areas where the earth&#8217;s internal heat near the earth&#8217;s surface is caused by volcanic activity, tectonic plate movements or high geothermal gradients. The heat that is removed is then utilised to drive a heat engine, such as a Stirling cycle or used directly for heating.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Formation Process of Puga Valley Geothermal Wells<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Geothermal Reservoir: When the groundwater flows into the deep rocks underground and gets naturally heated by hot rocks or magma, it becomes a geothermal reservoir.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The sites in question are delineated by surveys and investigations considered to be of high geothermal value, such as hot springs and fumaroles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Exploration Drilling: Exploration wells are drilled to measure the pressure, temperature, permeability and reservoir properties below ground.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Production Wells: Deep production wells are drilled to bring the hot water or steam up.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Power generation: Steam extracted is fed into turbines driven by generators, with the electricity generated used, or the hot water used in the heating industry.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reinjection Wells: Cooled water is reinjected back underground after use to maintain reservoir pressure and to achieve sustainability.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Unlike fossil fuels, geothermal reservoirs can sustainably deliver dependable, baseload 24&#215;7 renewable energy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Previous Year Questions (PYQs) Geothermal Energy<\/span><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Exam<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Year<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Question<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Answer<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>UPSC CSE (Prelims)<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>2013<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Which of the following statements regarding geothermal energy is\/are correct?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">1. Geothermal energy is the natural heat generated within the Earth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2. It can be used for electricity generation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">3. It is a non-renewable source of energy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Options:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>A.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 1 only<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>B.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 1 and 2 only<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>C.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 2 and 3 only<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>D.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 1, 2 and 3<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>B. 1 and 2 only<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>SSC CGL<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>2023<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Which of the following is a renewable source of energy?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Options:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>A.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Coal<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>B.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Petroleum<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>C.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Geothermal Energy<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>D.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Natural Gas<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>C. Geothermal Energy<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>RRB NTPC<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>2022<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Geothermal energy is obtained from:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Options:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>A.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Wind energy<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>B.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Heat stored inside the Earth<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>C.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Ocean tides<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>D.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Solar radiation<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>B. Heat stored inside the Earth<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>SSC CHSL<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>2021<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Which of the following renewable energy sources can provide continuous (baseload) power?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Options:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>A.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Solar Energy<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>B.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Wind Energy<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>C.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Geothermal Energy<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>D.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Tidal Energy<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>C. Geothermal Energy<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>CDS Examination<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>2020<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Hot springs are generally associated with which type of energy resource?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Options:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>A.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Wind Energy<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>B.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Solar Energy<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>C.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Geothermal Energy<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>D.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Biomass Energy<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>C. Geothermal Energy<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>State PSC<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>2022<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Which gas is mainly responsible for generating electricity in a geothermal power plant?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Options:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>A.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Oxygen<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>B.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Steam produced from underground hot water<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>C.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Nitrogen<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>D.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Carbon Dioxide<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>B. Steam produced from underground hot water<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>SSC CPO<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>2019<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Which of the following geological features indicates geothermal activity?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Options:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>A.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Sand dunes<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>B.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Coral reefs<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>C.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Hot springs and fumaroles<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>D.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Glaciers<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>C. Hot springs and fumaroles<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>UPPSC PCS<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>2021<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>The heat used in geothermal power plants originates primarily from:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Options:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>A.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Solar radiation absorbed by rocks<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>B.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Earth&#8217;s internal heat<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>C.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Friction caused by winds<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>D.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Ocean currents<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>B. The Earth&#8217;s internal heat<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>BPSC<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>2023<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Which of the following is NOT an advantage of geothermal energy?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Options:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>A.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Renewable source of energy<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>B.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Low greenhouse gas emissions<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>C.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Continuous power generation<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>D.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> High dependence on imported fuel<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>D. High dependence on imported fuel<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>CAPF (AC)<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>2022<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Which one of the following is the best example of direct use of geothermal energy?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Options:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>A.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Hydroelectric power generation<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>B.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Space heating using hot water from geothermal reservoirs<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>C.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Windmill operation<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>D.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Solar photovoltaic systems<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>B. Space heating using hot water from geothermal reservoirs<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/iron-ore-core-sector-index\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Government Adds Iron Ore to Core Sector Index<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Conclusion on Puga Valley Geothermal Wells<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">India has achieved an important milestone towards achieving the goal of achieving clean energy in the country by commissioning the first geothermal wells at Puga Valley, Ladakh. Through a geothermal application, India is growing its renewable energy mix beyond solar, wind, and hydropower and is enhancing energy security in its far-flung and isolated Himalayan areas. Geothermal can provide a solid 24&#215;7 baseload power source with low greenhouse gas emissions and a long-life energy source that can be harnessed for the United Kingdom&#8217;s Net Zero emissions by 2070. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The exploration in Puga valley is also likely to open the doors to commercially developing other geothermal provinces around the country in a vision of a diversified, resilient and sustainable energy future for India.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Puga Valley Geothermal Wells (FAQs)<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"cfaq-wrapper\" data-multiple=\"0\"><div class=\"cfaq-item cfaq-open\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"true\"><span class=\"cfaq-question-text\">1. Where are India&#039;s first geothermal wells located?<\/span><span class=\"cfaq-icon\"><\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\"><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">India's first geothermal wells have been commissioned at Puga Valley in the Leh district of the Union Territory of Ladakh, one of the country's most promising geothermal resource areas.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cfaq-item\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span class=\"cfaq-question-text\">2. What is geothermal energy?<\/span><span class=\"cfaq-icon\"><\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\" hidden><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">Geothermal energy is a renewable source of energy obtained from the natural heat stored beneath the Earth's surface. It is used for electricity generation, district heating, industrial processes, and other direct heating applications.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cfaq-item\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span class=\"cfaq-question-text\">3. Why was Puga Valley selected for India&#039;s first geothermal wells?<\/span><span class=\"cfaq-icon\"><\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\" hidden><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">Puga Valley was selected because it has high-temperature geothermal reservoirs, hot springs, fumaroles, mud pools, and favourable geological conditions, making it India's richest known geothermal resource.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cfaq-item\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span class=\"cfaq-question-text\">4. What are the major advantages of geothermal energy?<\/span><span class=\"cfaq-icon\"><\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\" hidden><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">Geothermal energy provides continuous 24\u00d77 baseload power, emits very low greenhouse gases, requires a small land footprint, has low operating costs, and reduces dependence on fossil fuels.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cfaq-item\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span class=\"cfaq-question-text\">5. How does the Puga Geothermal Project benefit India?<\/span><span class=\"cfaq-icon\"><\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\" hidden><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">The project enhances energy security, promotes clean and indigenous energy, supports sustainable development in remote Himalayan regions, reduces diesel-based power generation, and contributes to India's Net Zero 2070 and renewable energy goals.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Puga Valley Geothermal Wells: The commissioning of its first geothermal exploration wells at Puga Valley in Ladakh is an important step in India&#8217;s transition to renewable energy. The project aims to utilise the internal heat of the earth for the generation of electricity and also use it as a direct heat source, making geothermal energy [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":14578,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14577","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14577","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14577"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14577\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14579,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14577\/revisions\/14579"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14578"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14577"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14577"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14577"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}