In a significant advancement for sustainable energy, the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) has successfully drilled Northeast India's inaugural geothermal production well in Dirang, located in Arunachal Pradesh's West Kameng district.

Key Points

• This achievement follows two years of comprehensive geochemical and structural surveys of hot springs across western Arunachal Pradesh.
• The Dirang area is identified as a medium-to-high enthalpy geothermal zone, with reservoir temperatures estimated at approximately 115°C, suitable for direct-use applications .
• The project is a result of international collaboration involving CESHS, the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Icelandic firm Geotropy ehf, and Guwahati Boring Service (GBS).
• Once operational, the geothermal energy will power eco-friendly solutions, including drying facilities for fruits, nuts, and meat, space heating systems, and controlled-atmosphere storage facilities, enhancing agricultural productivity and living conditions in the high-altitude terrain .
• The initiative is supported by the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and the Ministry of Earth Sciences, with plans to scale up operations through deeper drilling, potentially transforming Dirang into India's first geothermal-powered city for space heating .