New Delhi: Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, unveiled a commemorative plaque at the Puga Geothermal Project site on Friday, marking the completion of geothermal wells GT#02 and GT#03 by ONGC Energy Centre, the state-run explorer said in a statement.
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ONGC described the milestone as advancing the development of what it called India's first demonstration-scale geothermal power project at Puga. The company said the project opens up possibilities for round-the-clock clean energy in Ladakh, and could help strengthen energy access in remote areas, reduce dependence on conventional fuels and support power availability through the region's severe winters.
Beyond electricity generation, ONGC said geothermal energy at the site has the potential to support space heating, greenhouse cultivation, year-round agriculture, food processing, geotourism and sustainable livelihoods. According to the company, these applications could contribute to Ladakh's socio-economic development and its stated aspiration to become a carbon-neutral region.
At the national level, ONGC said the project strengthens India's clean-energy portfolio, advances technological self-reliance and supports the country's long-term energy-security and Net Zero objectives.
The initiative is being advanced jointly by ONGC Energy Centre, the UT Administration of Ladakh, and LAHDC-Leh, under a five-year collaboration that was renewed in June, the statement said.
The event was attended by Administrative Secretary Himanshu Gupta, IAS; Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, Shashanka Ala, IAS; Deputy Commissioner, Changthang, Nitish Rajora; and Superintendent of Police, Changthang, Abbas Jaffari.
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The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the project's national and regional significance and commended the ONGC Energy Centre team, according to the statement. Representing ONGC, Director (Technology and Field Services) Vikram Saxena said the achievement reaffirmed the company's commitment to innovation, energy security and a sustainable future for Ladakh and India.