Uttarakhand Approves Geothermal Energy Policy Amid Ecological Concerns

The Uttarakhand government has cleared a new policy to tap into geothermal energy. On July 9, the state cabinet approved the Geothermal Energy Policy 2025, which allows commercial use of natural hot water sources across the region.

The policy was passed in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. It aims to promote scientific and technical research to identify and develop geothermal sites. The Energy Department will implement the policy with support from the Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) and the Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL).

What is Geo-Thermal Energy Policy 2025?

The policy aims to tap into Uttarakhand’s natural hot water sources for power generation, heating and cooling, water purification, and rural development.

It focuses on improving energy security, cutting carbon emissions, and supporting long-term environmental goals.

The Energy Department will lead the policy’s execution, working with the Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) and Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL). 

Geothermal projects will be allotted for up to 30 years from the date they start operating.

Geothermal energy is produced by tapping into the Earth’s natural heat. Wells are drilled into underground reservoirs of steam and hot water, which are used to drive turbines and generate electricity.

There are three types of geothermal power plants. Dry steam plants use underground steam directly. Flash steam plants use high-temperature water over 182°C. Binary cycle plants transfer heat from hot water to another liquid with a lower boiling point, which then turns a turbine.

India has about 10 GW of geothermal power potential, according to the Geological Survey of India. Around 350 locations have been identified across the country. In Uttarakhand alone, 40 such sites have been found, including Badrinath, Tapovan, Yamunotri, and Manikaran.

Risks of Geothermal Energy Projects

But not everyone is convinced this is the right path. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Environmental Management said geothermal projects can trigger artificial earthquakes, pollute groundwater, and cause land subsidence. “When water or steam is pumped through underground rocks at high pressure, it creates stress...that can sometimes trigger seismic shocks,” the study noted.

Such incidents have already occurred in Switzerland and South Korea, where projects had to be shut down due to local earthquakes.

In Uttarakhand, where the land is prone to landslides and tremors, these risks could be severe. The state’s policy does not clearly outline mandatory environmental impact assessments. Nor does it explain how the government plans to prevent damage to local ecology and communities.

Geothermal water can also contain harmful elements like arsenic and lead. If these leak into groundwater, they could pose serious health risks. Drilling, land use change, and pipeline construction can disrupt wildlife habitats as well.

While geothermal energy offers a new option, experts say the state must balance energy goals with ecological safety. A shift to green energy could endanger the delicate Himalayan ecosystem if there are no stringent controls.

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