Leh: In a remarkable feat of engineering and resilience, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is close to creating India’s first geothermal power generation facility in Ladakh’s cold desert.
#India is close to creating a geothermal based electricity power generation in the heart of Ladakh’s cold desert, at a staggering altitude of 14,000 ft. #ONGC is nearing completion of a well in the Puga Valley, marking a giant leap toward India’s first geothermal power… pic.twitter.com/GsB5eUyWsy
— Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) (@ONGC_) August 6, 2025
Drilling is nearing completion at an altitude of 14,000 feet in Puga Valley — a geologically active region known for its hot springs and steam vents.
The project, led by ONGC Energy Centre, is being executed entirely with indigenous expertise. Despite facing extreme challenges — from harsh Himalayan weather and fragile terrain to short seasonal work windows — engineers have pushed forward with precision and persistence.
This milestone signals a major leap in India’s clean energy journey. Unlike solar or wind, geothermal energy provides continuous, carbon-free power — making it a reliable base-load source for remote regions like Ladakh.
By harnessing the natural geothermal potential of Puga, ONGC is not just lighting a path for Ladakh’s energy future, but also placing India firmly on the global geothermal energy map.
