New Delhi: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation’s (ONGC) Energy Centre has successfully completed geothermal wells GT#02 and GT#03 at the Puga Geothermal Project, advancing the development of India’s first demonstration-scale geothermal power project.
Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena unveiled a commemorative plaque at the Puga Geothermal Project site to mark the successful completion of geothermal wells GT#02 and GT#03 by ONGC Energy Centre, a milestone in the development of India’s first demonstration-scale geothermal power project.
The milestone advances the development of India’s first demonstration-scale geothermal power project at Puga and opens new possibilities for clean, dependable and round-the-clock energy in Ladakh. The project shall help strengthen energy access in remote areas, reduce dependence on conventional fuels and support reliable power availability during the region’s severe winters.
Beyond electricity generation, geothermal energy has the potential to support space heating, greenhouse cultivation, year-round agriculture, food processing, geotourism and sustainable livelihoods. These applications could contribute significantly to Ladakh’s socio-economic development and its aspiration to emerge as a carbon-neutral region.
At the national level, the project strengthens India’s clean-energy portfolio, advances technological self-reliance and supports the country’s long-term energy-security and Net Zero objectives. The initiative is being advanced jointly by ONGC Energy Centre, the UT Administration of Ladakh and LAHDC-Leh under a five-year collaboration renewed in June 2026.
The occasion was attended by Administrative Secretary Himanshu Gupta, IAS; Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor Shashanka Ala, IAS; Deputy Commissioner, Changthang, Nitish Rajora; and Superintendent of Police, Changthang, Abbas Jaffari.
Lieutenant Governor highlighted the project’s national and regional significance and commended the ONGC Energy Centre team. Representing ONGC, Director (Technology and Field Services) Vikram Saxena said the achievement reaffirmed ONGC’s commitment to innovation, energy security and a sustainable future for Ladakh and India.
