ENA Sectors 2025-05-06 16:48:18 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>Itanagar, May 6 (KNN) </strong>The Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) has successfully drilled Northeast India's first geothermal production well in Dirang, West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, officials announced Monday.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">This achievement represents a significant milestone in the region's pursuit of sustainable energy sources.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">CESHS geosciences division head Rupankar Rajkhowa stated that the successful drilling follows two years of comprehensive geochemical and structural surveys of hot springs throughout western Arunachal Pradesh.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Once operational, the geothermal energy will power environmentally friendly solutions including fruit, nut, and meat drying facilities, space heating systems, and controlled-atmosphere storage - technologies considered vital for improving agricultural practices and living conditions in the state's high-altitude terrain.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The project emerged from international scientific collaboration between CESHS, the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) in Oslo, Icelandic geothermal firm Geotropy ehf, and Guwahati Boring Service (GBS) drilling team.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Advanced geochemical analysis identified the Dirang region as a medium-to-high enthalpy geothermal zone with reservoir temperatures estimated at 115 degrees Celsius, making it highly suitable for direct-use geothermal applications.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Detailed structural and geological mapping revealed quartzite overlying schist at tectonic contacts near the Main Central Thrust, consistent with extensional normal faults found elsewhere in the higher and lesser Himalayas.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">These insights enabled precision drilling to access the geothermal reservoir while minimising environmental impact.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The initiative has received support from both the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and the Ministry of Earth Sciences, according to Rajkhowa.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">With the completion of the first production well, CESHS now plans to scale operations with deeper drilling in Dirang, potentially transforming it into India's first geothermal-powered city for space heating.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">CESHS director Tana Tage described the development as pioneering, stating it paves the way for a new era of clean energy in the Himalayas while demonstrating the potential of geothermal resources in transforming regional livelihoods while ensuring environmental sustainability.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The geothermal-powered drying and storage facilities are expected to become operational soon, establishing a national precedent for sustainable energy utilisation in mountainous and remote regions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">CESHS operates as an autonomous organisation under the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.</span></p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:14px">(KNN Bureau)</span></strong></em></p> 41997 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/sectors/indias-first-northeast-geothermal-production-well-drilled-in-arunachal-pradesh 2025-05-06 16:48:18 knnindia.co.in