ITANAGAR, May 6: In a landmark achievement for clean energy in the Himalayan region, the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) has successfully drilled Northeast India’s first geothermal production well in Dirang, located in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district. An official confirmation of this milestone was provided on Monday.
Rupankar Rajkhowa, Head of the CESHS Geosciences Division, stated that the breakthrough came after two years of extensive geochemical and structural surveys of hot springs across western Arunachal Pradesh. Rajkhowa hailed the drilling as a first-of-its-kind initiative in the region and a major step forward in the development of sustainable energy solutions.
Once operational, the geothermal energy from the Dirang well will be harnessed for a range of eco-friendly applications. These include drying fruits, nuts, and meat, providing space heating, and maintaining controlled-atmosphere storage systems—critical technologies aimed at improving agricultural productivity and living standards in the high-altitude terrain of Arunachal Pradesh.
The project was spearheaded by CESHS in collaboration with the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) in Oslo, the Icelandic geothermal firm Geotropy ehf, and Guwahati Boring Service, which was responsible for the drilling operations.
Advanced geochemical analyses identified Dirang as a medium-to-high enthalpy geothermal zone, with reservoir temperatures estimated at around 115°C. These characteristics make the site particularly suitable for direct-use geothermal energy applications.
Supporting this identification, detailed geological and structural mapping uncovered quartzite over schist formations located along tectonic boundaries near the main central thrust—features consistent with geothermal zones elsewhere in the Himalayas. These insights enabled the CESHS team to conduct precision drilling while minimizing environmental disruption.
The project received critical support from the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. According to Rajkhowa, there is potential for Dirang to become India’s first geothermal-powered town for space heating.
Looking ahead, CESHS plans to expand the initiative through deeper drilling to enhance geothermal output. The team anticipates the launch of the first geothermal-powered drying and storage systems in the near future, aiming to set a national standard for clean energy development in remote and mountainous areas.
“This pioneering work marks the beginning of a clean energy era in the Himalayas,” said CESHS Director Tana Tage. “It shows how geothermal resources can transform local livelihoods while protecting the environment.”
CESHS functions as an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
