Itanagar: In a groundbreaking step for renewable energy in the country, Arunachal Pradesh will soon be home to India’s first fully indigenous geothermal power plant.
The 50-kilowatt facility will be established in Tawang district and is designed to operate at a low temperature of just 68 degrees Celsius — a national first.
The project is being spearheaded by the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) in collaboration with the Shriram Institute for Industrial Research (SIIR), following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two institutions.
Rupankar Rajkhowa, head of geoscience at CESHS, confirmed that three potential sites — Mago, Thingbu, and Damteng — have already been identified for the project, and structural mapping is complete.
The plant, once operational, is expected to cater to over 5,000 residents in the region.
The timeline for completion has been set at three years, with funding of over Rs. 10 crore secured from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
Describing the initiative as the first of its kind in the Himalayan region, Rajkhowa highlighted the use of indigenous bipolar process technology that enables energy generation at relatively low geothermal temperatures.
This could prove crucial for high-altitude areas with similar geothermal profiles.
Ahead of construction, a CESHS team led by director Tana Tage visited a 20-kw demonstration site at SIIR, where early trials were conducted using a 5-kw laboratory-scale model.
According to SIIR’s geothermal project manager Bhupesh Sharma, these tests were essential to refine the design and address challenges specific to low-temperature geothermal systems.
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Chief Minister Pema Khandu welcomed the initiative, calling it a “visionary step” towards clean energy innovation.
“This project reflects Arunachal Pradesh’s leadership in India’s renewable energy transition. By tapping into geothermal potential, we are not only embracing innovation but also setting the tone for sustainable development in the Northeast,” he said.
CESHS, established in 2021 under the Department of Science and Technology, focuses on high-altitude scientific research in the fields of climatology, hydrology, geoscience, and renewable energy.
