India Notifies National Policy on Geothermal Energy to Advance Net Zero Goals

The Government of India has officially notified the National Policy on Geothermal Energy (2025), marking a significant step in diversifying the country’s renewable energy portfolio and reinforcing its commitment to achieve the 2070 Net Zero target.

India, home to substantial untapped geothermal reserves, aims to harness this resource for power generation and direct applications such as district heating, agriculture, aquaculture, and space heating and cooling through Ground Source Heat Pumps.

The policy outlines a framework to accelerate geothermal exploration and development, with provisions for research, inter-ministerial collaboration, and adoption of global best practices. It emphasizes integration with national renewable energy targets, promotion of technological innovation—including hybrid geothermal-solar plants and Enhanced/Advanced Geothermal Systems—and repurposing of abandoned oil and gas wells.

Key elements also include collaboration with state governments, oil and gas companies, research institutions, and international geothermal bodies to build a robust ecosystem. Capacity-building and knowledge-sharing initiatives are expected to strengthen human resources in the sector.

As part of its initial implementation, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has sanctioned five pilot and resource assessment projects to explore geothermal viability across the country. MNRE will oversee progress and provide a supportive environment for developers, industries, and research institutions to contribute to India’s clean energy transition.