India has intensified global collaboration to advance geothermal energy through the recently notified National Policy on Geothermal Energy (15 September 2025). The policy promotes bilateral and multilateral technology partnerships, knowledge sharing, and joint R&D to bring global geothermal expertise to Indian conditions.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) currently collaborates with Australia, Iceland, Saudi Arabia and the United States in the geothermal sector. According to the Geological Survey of India’s Geothermal Atlas 2022, the nation’s theoretical geothermal resource potential stands at around 10,600 MW.
GSI has mapped 381 hot springs across the country and identified 42 geothermal manifestations as high-potential zones for geothermal power generation and direct heat applications. These sites are included in the national policy for further exploration and development.
The policy also highlights the opportunity to repurpose abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal recovery. MNRE has sanctioned an R&D project to IIT Madras to explore geothermal extraction from such wells as a pilot initiative.
This information was presented by Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
