Arunachal Pradesh has successfully drilled the region’s first geothermal production well at Dirang. The breakthrough positions Dirang to potentially become the first Indian city to utilize geothermal energy for direct heating applications.
The well was drilled by the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) under the Arunachal Pradesh Department of Science & Technology, following two years of geochemical and structural surveys across western Arunachal’s hot springs. The project aims to supply sustainable energy to support critical infrastructure such as fruit and meat drying units, space heating systems, and controlled-atmosphere storage—essential for improving agricultural yield and living conditions in the high-altitude region.
“This pioneering development paves the way for a new era of clean energy in the Himalayas,” said the CESHS Director, noting the project’s potential to transform local economies while safeguarding the environment.
The effort is a result of international collaboration involving the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Icelandic firm Geotropy ehf, and local contractor Guwahati Boring Service. Scientific mapping identified Dirang as a medium-to-high enthalpy geothermal zone with reservoir temperatures estimated at 115°C.
