Current Affairs - Technology - Discussion

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is responsible for developing India’s first commercial geothermal power project at Puga Valley in Ladakh. The project was approved through a 5-year MoU extension and aims to establish a 1 MWe pilot geothermal plant targeted for commissioning in FY 2026–27. Located at an altitude of over 14,000 feet, the site has significant geothermal potential with subsurface temperatures reaching around 240°C. The project involves multiple phases including deep drilling and exploration in nearby regions. ONGC, a Maharatna PSU headquartered in New Delhi, is leading this initiative in collaboration with the Ladakh administration and local development authorities.