India’s Largest Geothermal Energy Technology Pilot – Araku Valley’s Subsurface Revolution

NATIONAL HERO — PETAL 016
Date: November 14, 2025
Syllabus: GS3 – Energy, Environment, Infrastructure

🌋 Thematic Focus:

Geothermal Energy • Frontier Technology • Renewable Baseload Power

🌬️ Intro Whisper

Beneath the quiet hills of Araku, the Earth breathes. And when we listen to that ancient heat, a new chapter in India’s clean-energy journey begins.

🔥 KEY HIGHLIGHTS

1. India’s Largest Geothermal Technology Pilot Announced

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) will establish India’s largest geothermal energy project in Araku Valley & Visakhapatnam.
Marks India’s first serious step toward tapping deep-earth heat as a renewable baseload resource.

2. About EESL – India’s ‘Super ESCO’

A joint venture of NTPC, PFC, REC, Power Grid under the Ministry of Power.
Leads major efficiency missions:
- UJALA (LED revolution)
- Smart Metering Programme
- EEFP (BLDC fans)
- National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP)

3. Why Araku Valley?

Located in Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district, Eastern Ghats.
Geothermal gradient, hot subsurface aquifers & Galikonda Hill region make it ideal for pilots.

4. Geothermal Energy Explained (GS3 Core)

Energy stored in Earth’s crust from decay of uranium, thorium, potassium.
Temperature rises by 25–30°C per km in the crust.
Two broad categories:
- High-enthalpy (volcanic zones – power generation)
- Low/medium-enthalpy (India – suitable for direct use / geothermal heat pumps)

5. Key Advantages (UPSC points)

Baseload renewable with >80% capacity factor.
No fuel cost after installation.
Ideal for industries, cold regions, district heating, and continuous clean power.
Long-term economic viability despite high upfront drilling cost.

6. India’s Geothermal Landscape

381 hot springs identified by GSI across 10 provinces.
Geothermal Atlas of India (2022) estimates 10,600 MW potential.
India is mostly medium-enthalpy (100–180°C) zone.

7. Why This Pilot Matters

Breaks India’s dependence on surface heat sources (hot springs).
Tests Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and Advanced Geothermal Systems (AGS).
Could lead to commercial-scale geothermal farms by 2035.

GS Paper Mapping

GS3 – Renewable energy, Energy security, Infrastructure, Environment & climate resilience.
GS1 – Geography (Geothermal provinces of India).
GS2 – State-centre coordination in infrastructure missions.
GS3 – Science and Technology (EGS/AGS frontier technologies).

🌱 Closing Thought

When the sun sets and the winds rest, the Earth still glows from within.
And perhaps, the quiet fire beneath our feet will soon light India’s clean-energy future.

— IAS Monk

Target IAS-26: Daily MCQs :

📌 Prelims Practice MCQs

Topic: India’s Largest Geothermal Energy Pilot (Araku Valley) SET-1

MCQ 1 TYPE 1 — How Many Statements Are Correct?
Consider the following statements regarding geothermal energy in India:
1)India’s geothermal provinces mostly lie in high-enthalpy volcanic regions.
2)Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) can enable electricity generation even in low-enthalpy zones.
3)Geothermal plants typically have a capacity utilisation factor above 80%.
4)Geothermal energy requires recurring fuel imports.
How many of the above statements are correct?
A) Only two
B) Only three
C) All four
D) Only one
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation.

🟩 Correct Answer: B) Only three
🧠 Explanation:
1)❌ False – India’s resources are medium- to low-enthalpy; we do not have volcanic high-enthalpy zones.
2)✅ True – EGS allows India to generate power even without volcanic heat.
3)✅ True – Geothermal is one of the highest CUF renewable sources (>80%).
4)❌ False – No fuel imports are needed; geothermal is fuel-free.

MCQ 2 TYPE 2 — Two-Statement Type
MCQ TYPE-2 — Two-Statement MCQ
Consider the following statements:
1)India’s geothermal gradient is typically around 25–30°C per kilometre.
2)Araku Valley lies in the Western Ghats geothermal province.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) Only 1 is correct
B) Only 2 is correct
C) Both are correct
D) Neither is correct
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation.

🟩 Correct Answer: A) Only 1 is correct
🧠 Explanation:
1)✅ True – This is India’s average geothermal gradient.
2)❌ False – Araku Valley is located in the Eastern Ghats, not the Western Ghats.

MCQ 3 TYPE 3 — Code-Based Statement Selection
With reference to geothermal potential in India, consider the following statements:
1)India’s Geothermal Atlas (2022) estimates over 10,000 MW of geothermal power potential.
2)The Himalayan geothermal belt is one of India’s identified geothermal provinces.
3)Geothermal projects require large land areas compared to solar power plants.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation.

🟩 Correct Answer: A) 1 and 2 only
🧠 Explanation:
1)✅ True – Estimated potential is about 10,600 MW.
2)✅ True – Himalayan belt is one of the 10 geothermal provinces.
3)❌ False – Geothermal has much lower land requirement than solar.

MCQ 4 TYPE 4 — Direct Factual Question
Which organisation is implementing India’s largest geothermal energy technology pilot project in Araku Valley?
A) NTPC
B) EESL
C) Solar Energy Corporation of India
D) Power Grid Corporation of India
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation.

🟩 Correct Answer: B) EESL
🧠 Explanation:
EESL (Energy Efficiency Services Limited) is leading the geothermal pilot under its mandate as a Super-ESCO.

MCQ 5 TYPE 5 — UPSC 2025 Linkage Reasoning Format (I, II, III)
Consider the following statements:
Statement I:
Geothermal energy can help India meet its baseload electricity needs without depending on seasonal variability.
Statement II:
Geothermal plants operate at high capacity utilisation factors similar to coal and nuclear power.
Statement III:
India is located in a high-enthalpy volcanic zone, ideal for large geothermal power plants.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
A) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both explain Statement I
B) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
C) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
D) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation.

🟩 Correct Answer: C
🧠 Explanation:
Statement II: ✅ True – High CUF makes geothermal suitable for baseload supply.
Statement III: ❌ False – India does not have volcanic high-enthalpy zones; it has medium–low enthalpy belts.
Therefore, Statement II alone explains Statement I.

High Quality Mains Essay For Practice :

Word Limit 1000-1200

Harnessing the Fire Beneath: India’s Geothermal Turning Point in Araku Valley

A Full-Length Essay (≈1200 words)

NOVEMBER 14, 2025 — GS3 / ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Introduction — The Age of Silent Heat

Long before humanity discovered coal, oil, or solar panels, the Earth was already burning from within. The molten core, the restless mantle, and the radioactive decay of elements like uranium and thorium have been sustaining an uninterrupted thermal symphony for billions of years. Yet India—a land of 381 geothermal hot springs and vast crustal gradients—has barely begun to tap into this ancient reservoir of clean energy.

The announcement by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) to establish India’s largest geothermal energy technology pilot project in Araku Valley and Visakhapatnam is more than a renewable-energy headline. It is a tectonic shift in India’s approach to harnessing baseload renewable power, one that does not depend on sunshine, wind speed, rainfall, or seasonal variability. It marks the entrance of geothermal energy into the mainstream policy and technological imagination of India’s energy future.

At a time when global climate commitments are hardening and India’s power demand is growing at the fastest rate among major economies, geothermal represents a rare fusion of reliability, sustainability, and long-term economic efficiency. The pilot in Araku Valley is thus not merely a technological demonstration—it is a national energy milestone.

EESL’s Role — India’s ‘Super ESCO’ Enters the Earth’s Depths

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) has earned national prominence for engineering India’s energy-efficiency revolution—most notably through schemes such as UJALA, Smart Metering, BLDC Fans, and the National Efficient Cooking Programme. As a joint venture of NTPC, PFC, REC, and Power Grid, EESL has demonstrated a unique capability: delivering large-scale, commercially viable, and socially impactful energy solutions.

Its move into geothermal energy marks a bold expansion. The organization’s operational model—bulk procurement, public-private partnerships, and high-impact pilots—makes it uniquely suited to a sector that demands large upfront investment, advanced drilling, multidisciplinary engineering, and long gestation periods.

Unlike solar or wind, geothermal projects require deep geoscientific studies, reservoir modelling, and subsurface risk assessment. EESL brings to this domain a culture of scale, technological integration, and financial structuring that India’s geothermal landscape has long lacked.

Why Araku Valley? The Subsurface Advantage

Araku Valley, nestled within the Eastern Ghats and the Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district, possesses several ideal conditions for geothermal exploration:

High geothermal gradient created by the ancient tectonic architecture of the Eastern Ghats.
Subsurface hydrothermal circulation resulting from fractured rock formations.
Galikonda Hill region, which has long been observed for thermal anomalies.
Proximity to Visakhapatnam, enabling easier grid integration and industrial applications.

The choice of Araku is therefore both scientific and strategic. It allows India to test a technology that has long remained dormant due to uncertainties around geological suitability, drilling costs, and technological reliability.

Understanding Geothermal Energy — The Science Behind the Heat

Geothermal energy originates from:

Residual heat from Earth’s formation
Radioactive decay of elements like uranium, thorium, and potassium
Magma movements deep below the crust
Hydrothermal convection, circulating hot water and steam

India displays a geothermal gradient of 25–30°C per km, meaning that at just 3–4 km depth, temperatures can exceed 150°C—sufficient for power generation through advanced geothermal systems.

Types of Geothermal Resources

High-Enthalpy Resources
- Found in volcanic regions (Iceland, Indonesia, Philippines).
- Suitable for large-scale electricity generation.
Medium to Low-Enthalpy Resources
- India’s dominant resource class.
- Ideal for district heating, industrial heat supply, drying, dairy processing, agro-industries, and geothermal heat pumps.

New Technologies: EGS and AGS

Advancements such as Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and Advanced Geothermal Systems (AGS) allow non-volcanic regions (like most of India) to create engineered reservoirs by stimulating fractures and circulating fluids.

China, the USA, and Europe have already reached pilot operational stages. With the Araku Valley project, India enters this innovation frontier.

India’s Geothermal Paradox — Abundance Without Utilisation

The Geological Survey of India has identified:

381 hot springs
Spanning 10 geothermal provinces
Across Himalayan, Cambay, Godavari, and Western Ghats belts

The Geothermal Atlas of India (2022) estimates 10,600 MW of geothermal power potential.

Yet India has no operational geothermal power plant.

This paradox arises from:

High drilling and exploration costs
Limited private-sector participation
Fragmented research
Lack of pilot demonstration
Absence of standardised regulatory frameworks
Insufficient risk-mitigation financing

The Araku Valley project thus becomes a foundational step toward breaking this stagnation.

Strategic Significance — India’s Baseload Future

Unlike solar and wind—which, despite rapid growth, remain variable—geothermal offers 24×7 renewable power, making it a rare baseload option without carbon emissions.

Why this matters for India:

Supports industrial corridors where uninterrupted power is essential.
Stabilises the grid during peak loads and low-renewable periods.
Reduces dependence on coal, aligning with 2070 net-zero commitments.
Enables clean hydrogen production using high-grade geothermal heat.
Facilitates cold-region heating in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim.
Strengthens energy diversification, reducing geopolitical vulnerabilities.

In essence, geothermal fills a gap between renewable ambition and energy realism.

Economic and Environmental Benefits

1. High Capacity Factor (>80%)

Geothermal plants operate at efficiencies comparable to coal and nuclear power.

2. No Fuel Cost

Once drilled, geothermal wells require minimal recurring expenditure.

3. Minimal Land Requirement

A 10 MW geothermal plant uses far less land than solar or wind farms.

4. Ultra-Low Emissions

Geothermal systems emit negligible greenhouse gases.

5. Rural Development

District heating, agro-processing, greenhouse farming, aquaculture, and drying units in tribal regions can transform local economies.

Challenges — The Depths Are Demanding

1. Site-Specificity and Exploration Risk

Drilling can cost ₹30–40 crore per well with uncertainty about subsurface fluids.

2. Technology Maturity

India lacks domestic EGS/AGS manufacturing and relies on imported expertise.

3. Regulatory Vacuum

No dedicated geothermal policy or safety guidelines exist yet.

4. Financing

Investors hesitate due to exploration risks and long payback periods.

5. Public Awareness

Geothermal is perhaps India’s least understood renewable source.

Global Comparisons — Learning From Leaders

Country	Installed Capacity	Lessons for India
USA	Highest globally	Federal incentives and private innovation accelerated adoption.
Indonesia	2nd largest	Strong geology + government-led exploration.
Philippines	3rd	Efficient integration into national grid.
Turkey	Rapid growth	Aggressive drilling and private-sector engagement.
New Zealand	Mature sector	Indigenous partnerships and community integration.

India must identify a hybrid model—state-led exploration with private-led expansion.

Way Forward — Turning Heat Into Power

Dedicated National Geothermal Policy
Create a mission-mode framework similar to the Solar National Mission.
Public-Private Partnerships
De-risk drilling through viability gap funding and exploration insurance.
Technological Collaboration
Partner with Iceland, USA, Japan for EGS/AGS expertise.
Geothermal Industrial Clusters
Agro-processing, cold storages, drying units, and district heating.
Integration with Hydrogen Mission
Use geothermal heat for cost-efficient green hydrogen.
State-Level Roadmaps
Andhra Pradesh, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh can lead geothermal adoption.

With these steps, India can realistically target 500–800 MW geothermal by 2040.

Conclusion — A New Fire for India’s Energy Future

Some revolutions begin with a spark. Others begin with a silent heat rising through the Earth’s crust.

Geothermal energy is India’s forgotten frontier—clean, continuous, abundant, and waiting patiently beneath our feet. The Araku Valley geothermal pilot is therefore not just an energy initiative; it is an act of listening to the Earth’s oldest energy source.

If India succeeds in unlocking even a fraction of its subsurface potential, geothermal could become the quiet backbone of our energy stability—powering industries, homes, agriculture, and innovation for decades to come.

When sunlight fades and winds fall still, the ancient warmth of the Earth will remain.
In that glow, India may find a new path to a resilient, self-reliant tomorrow.