Ministry of New and Renewable Energy unveils first National Policy on Geothermal Energy | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
MENU
Home

Periodically curated articles and updates on national and international developments relevant for UPSC Civil Services Examination.

Quick Links

High-quality MCQs and Mains Answer Writing to sharpen skills and reinforce learning every day.

Watch explainer and thematic concept-building videos under initiatives like Deep Dive, Master Classes, etc., on important UPSC topics.

ESC

In Summary

The new national geothermal policy aims to boost India's renewable energy, utilizing 381 hot springs across 10 provinces for electricity, heating, and industry, supporting net-zero emissions by 2070.

In Summary

The policy is designed to make geothermal energy a key part of the country’s renewable energy mix and achieve India’s ambitious target of net-zero emissions by 2070.

Key Features of the Policy

Map showing Geothermal provinces of India
  • Recognition & Scope
    • Identifies 381 hot springs & 10 provinces with potential.
    • Supports high-enthalpy (electricity) and low/medium enthalpy (heating, cooling, agriculture, industry) uses.
    • Covers resource assessment to end-use including hybrid systems, storage and repurposing oil/gas wells for geothermal energy.
  • Sustainability & Regulation
    • Ensures safe reinjection, rules compliance, and stakeholder consultation in sensitive areas.
    • Provides single-window clearances via state nodal agencies.
  • Development & Financing Model
    • Allows 100% FDI, promotes domestic innovation & oil-gas collaboration.
    • Offers risk-sharing, concessional loans, Viability Gap Financing, green bonds, feed-in tariffs, blended finance.
    • Proposes Grants tax/GST exemptions, tax holidays, accelerated depreciation, property tax relief.
  • Collaboration & Capacity Building: Promotes international cooperation & peer learning.
  • Sites, Leases & Data Infrastructure
    • Exploration leases: 3–5 years; development leases: up to 30+ years with concessional land.
    • Establishes a centralized geothermal data repository with mandatory data submission.

About Geothermal Energy

  • Geothermal energy is the heat from the Earth (geo = earth, thermal = heat).
  • It comes from natural or man-made reservoirs of hot water/steam at different depths.
  • By drilling wells, this heat can be tapped for electricity generation, heating, cooling, and other applications.
Watch Video News Today

Explore Related Content

Discover more articles, videos, and terms related to this topic

RELATED VIDEOS

3
News Today (May 06, 2025)

News Today (May 06, 2025)

YouTube HD
News Today (Jan 14, 2025)

News Today (Jan 14, 2025)

YouTube HD
News Today (Apr 16, 2024)

News Today (Apr 16, 2024)

YouTube HD
Title is required. Maximum 500 characters.

Search Notes

Filter Notes

Loading your notes...
Searching your notes...
Loading more notes...
You've reached the end of your notes

No notes yet

Create your first note to get started.

No notes found

Try adjusting your search criteria or clear the search.

Saving...
Saved

Please select a subject.

Referenced Articles

linked

No references added yet