India’s National Geothermal Energy Policy 2025 aims to promote Net Zero 2070 by using buried heat reserves to power clean electricity, heating, and agriculture.
A new chapter in India’s clean energy journey has begun with the notification of the National Policy on Geothermal Energy (2025) by the government.
According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) press release on September 17, the policy intends to directly support the Net Zero 2070 commitment while utilizing research, innovation, ecosystem development, and public-private partnerships to unlock India’s unrealized geothermal potential.
The importance of geothermal energy for India’s energy transition
In contrast to solar and wind, geothermal provides base-load sustainable energy 24/7. Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs) may use India’s geothermal resources, which are still mostly untapped, to assist space cooling, district heating, agriculture, aquaculture, and power production.
With the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) taking on stewardship duties, the new policy offers a thorough regulatory framework that will supervise exploration and development.
In June 2023, Moneycontrol was the first to disclose that the government was looking at using geothermal energy to repurpose old oil wells. With the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) announcing a framework to harness the heat that lies under India’s soil for electricity and direct-use applications, that concept has now become a policy.
Important tenets of the policy
Global best practices and research:
Encourage the adoption of international geothermal standards, research and development, and interministerial cooperation.
Integration with national objectives:
aligns the use of geothermal energy with India’s pledges to use renewable energy sources and reach its Net Zero 2070 goal.
Various uses:
includes cold storage, desalination, greenhouses, and tourism in addition to electricity generating.
Innovation in technology:
Concentrate on creating Enhanced/Advanced Geothermal Systems (EGS/AGS), converting decommissioned oil wells, and hybrid geothermal-solar systems.
Local collaborations and innovation:
encourages state-level partnerships, joint ventures, and the reuse of oil and gas infrastructure.
International cooperation:
promotes collaborations with top geothermal countries and international research organizations.
Building an ecosystem:
aims to establish a strong public-private partnership with well-defined avenues for private investment.
Building capacity:
a focus on information exchange, skill development, and training in order to build a homegrown talent pool.
First step: Authorization of five pilot projects
MNRE has approved five pilot projects and resource-assessment programs in various areas as part of the rollout. Prior to commercial scaling up, these initiatives will assess the feasibility and potential of geothermal sources in India.
While maintaining a favorable atmosphere for developers, business leaders, and research organizations, the ministry will keep a careful eye on developments.