Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district, specifically Dirang, is now home to the Northeast’s first drilled geothermal production well.
The Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) completed the drilling after extensive geochemical and structural surveys conducted over the past two years.
This well aims to tap the geothermal potential of hot springs in western Arunachal.
The project received backing from a consortium of the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Icelandic geothermal company Geotropy ehf, Guwahati-based Guwahati Boring Services in partnership with the Arunachal Pradesh government and India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences.
The Dirang site has been identified as a medium to high enthalpy geothermal zone, with subsurface temperatures reaching approximately 115°c. This makes it well-suited for direct-use geothermal applications.
The geothermal resource will support a range of eco-friendly technologies, including drying systems for local produce and meat, space heating and climate-controlled storage. These are all critical for enhancing livelihoods and resilience in high-altitude terrain.
CESHS now aims to expand the project with deeper wells. This will potentially position Dirang as the country’s first geothermal-powered urban settlement for heating solutions.
However, it was reported earlier that Arunachal Pradesh’s Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) and the Geological Survey of India (GSI) have partnered through an MoU to boost geothermal energy exploration and broader earth science research in the state and surrounding areas.
As announced in mid-April, the collaboration aims to tap the clean energy potential of the Arunachal Himalayas, enhance geological, mineralogical, and hydrological knowledge of the region, and combine indigenous knowledge with modern techniques for sustainable energy solutions and geoscientific advancement.
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