Lok Sabha Question No. 453 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Geothermal Energy (RDD&D) Projects
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Putta Mahesh Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 453

ANSWERED ON 24/07/2024

## GEOTHERMAL ENERGY (RDD&D) PROJECTS

## 453. SHRI PUTTA MAHESH KUMAR

Will the Minister of New & Renewable Energy be pleased to state:

- (a) the details and the current status of geothermal energy Research, Design, Development and Demonstration (RDD&D) projects in India including funds allocated and utilised for the same;
- (b) the details regarding the budget allocation and utilisation for geothermal energy RDD&D projects over the last five years;
- (c) the details of the collaborations or partnerships with eminent international organisations/countries to advance geothermal energy RDD & D efforts in India;
- (d) the details regarding the technological advancements or innovations achieved through geothermal energy RDD&D projects funded by the Government over the last five years; and
- (e) the details of incentives and subsidies provided by the Government for geothermal RDD & D activities in the country?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, & FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a) & (b) The details and the current status of development of geothermal energy in India, interalia, include:-

Geological Survey of India (GSI) has carried out exploration of geothermal energy in various recognized geothermal fields which includes collection of data on temperature, discharge, and quality/chemistry  of  water  in  different  geothermal  fields.  GSI  has  studied  381  thermally anomalous areas across India and has published a report titled 'Geothermal Atlas of India, 2022'. A potential of about 10,600 MW of geothermal power has been estimated in the country.

Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) has commissioned a 20 kW pilot geothermal power plant in Manuguru area of Bhadradri Kothagudem district in Telangana.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is implementing a 'Renewable Energy Research  and  Technology  Development  Programme  (RE-RTD)'  through  various  research institutions and industry to develop indigenous technologies and manufacturing for widespread applications  of  new  and  renewable  energy  in  efficient  and  cost-effective  manner,  including harnessing the geothermal energy.

No specific allocation in the R&D budget has been made for geothermal energy over the last five years by MNRE. An allocation of Rs 2.42 Crore has been made by Ministry of Coal, which has been utilised for establishing 20 kW pilot geothermal power plant in  Manuguru area of Bhadradri Kothagudem district in Telangana.

- (c)  Collaborations/partnerships  with  eminent  international  organisations/countries  to  advance geothermal energy efforts in India, inter-alia, include: -
- Under the aegis of the MoU signed on 9th October, 2007 between India and Iceland, which is continuing, both the sides have identified Geothermal as an area of cooperation.
- India has signed an MoU with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 29th October, 2019, wherein, Geothermal has been identified as an area of cooperation.
- Under the Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP) launched on August 29, 2023 between India and USA, Geothermal has, inter-alia, been identified as a focus area.
- (d) The aforesaid 20 kW pilot geothermal power plant in  Manuguru is based on closed loop Binary Organic Rankine Cycle Process technology, which has been successfully demonstrated.
- (e)  MNRE  provides  up  to  100%  financial support to Government/non-profit research organizations  and  upto  70%  to  Industry,  start-ups,  private  Institutes,  entrepreneur,  and manufacturing  units  under  Renewable  Energy  Research  and  Technology  Development Programme, including for geothermal energy R&D projects.

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