India's First 100% Indigenous Geothermal Power Plant to Rise in Arunachal Pradesh

In a landmark move towards renewable energy advancement, Arunachal Pradesh is set to become the first Indian state to host a fully indigenous geothermal power plant. The plant, with a capacity of 50 kilowatts, will be established in the high-altitude region of Tawang district. It will be the first facility in India to function at a relatively low geothermal temperature of just 68 degrees Celsius, marking a significant technological and environmental milestone.

The pioneering project is being jointly undertaken by the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) and the Shriram Institute for Industrial Research (SIIR), following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two organizations. The initiative aims to utilize clean and renewable energy sources suitable for high-altitude terrains that possess geothermal potential but face challenges due to lower underground temperatures.

Rupankar Rajkhowa, the Head of Geoscience at CESHS, confirmed that structural mapping for the project has already been completed and three viable sites — Mago, Thingbu, and Damteng — have been identified. Once fully operational, the geothermal plant is expected to supply sustainable energy to over 5,000 residents in the surrounding areas, significantly improving access to clean electricity in this remote Himalayan region.

The completion timeline has been projected at three years, and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has already allocated funding exceeding ₹10 crore for the project. What sets this project apart is the adoption of indigenous "bipolar process" technology. This advanced energy-conversion process allows for electricity generation at low geothermal temperatures — a challenge in high-altitude areas with limited underground heat. The success of this initiative may pave the way for similar geothermal projects in other parts of the Himalayan region, where geothermal activity exists but remains underutilized.

Before the commencement of construction, a CESHS team led by Director Tana Tage visited a 20-kw demonstration facility at SIIR to evaluate initial test results. These early trials were conducted using a 5-kw lab-scale prototype. According to Bhupesh Sharma, the geothermal project manager at SIIR, the pilot experiments were instrumental in refining the system design and addressing unique technical hurdles associated with low-temperature geothermal environments.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has welcomed the initiative enthusiastically, hailing it as a “visionary step” toward clean energy innovation. He emphasized that the project underscores Arunachal Pradesh’s leadership in India’s transition to renewable energy and highlighted its potential impact on sustainable development in the Northeast region.

Established in 2021 under the Department of Science and Technology, CESHS is dedicated to high-altitude scientific research, particularly in fields such as climatology, hydrology, geoscience, and renewable energy. With this project, CESHS is not only advancing the state's scientific capabilities but also positioning Arunachal Pradesh at the forefront of India’s green energy movement.

The geothermal plant represents a strategic blend of innovation, sustainability, and regional development, reflecting India’s broader goals of energy diversification and environmental conservation. It is expected to serve as a model for future projects aiming to harness geothermal resources in similarly challenging environments.