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Geothermal energy: A secure resource for development of Ladakh region, India

Article  in  Transactions - Geothermal Resources Council · January 2009

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Mohan L. Gupta 2009 .Geothermal Energy: A secure Resource for Development of Ladakh
Region, Himalaya, India, Present Status and Tasks Ahead. Published in Transactions of
Geothermal ResourcesS::ouncil, V.·33; 2009, pp.1-

Geothermal Energy: A Secure Resource for Development of Ladakh Region, India

Mohan L Gupta
Formerly with National Geophysical Research Institute,
(Counsel of Scientific and Industrial Research), Hyderabad, India

ABSTRACT

The geo-tectonic environment of the Ladakh region Himalayas is very conducive for the
occun-encc of abundant geothermal energy resources that are exploitable, based upon the
available technologies. Hydrothermal manifestations and granitic plutons do occur at its various
locations. Buried granites are the substantial source of heat energy and therefore have potential
as enhanced geothermal resources.

Various geo-investigations, including exploratory drilling and experimental utilization

have been carried out at its two locations: Puga valley and Clumatang. However geothermal
energy based commercial power generation and its use for non-electrical purposes have not
commenced yet.

Puga valley Ladakh is the most promising geothermal field of India. Its thermal fluids are
associated with significant amounts of cesium, lithium, rubidium and some other active
constituents which suggest their association with recent magnetic activity. Such a phenomenon is
supp011ed by the location of Puga Valley, which is towards south of Indus Sutur Zone, where
wide spread pai1ial melt generated from the sub ducted Indian crnst is inferred from the presence
of high electrical conductance within the crnst. Our earlier studies established the presence of a
shallow reservoir beneath Puga Valley with estimated power potential of 50 MWY ear and led·to
the inference of deep reservoir located at depths 2 km, with a reservoir temperature around
265 ° C. Recently reported magneto-telluric studies have established the presence of such a deep
reservoir of about 5 kms thickness. Using most of the available data we have modeled the
estimated power potential of the Puga deep reservoir as 58 MWe for 100 years

The heat energy from the granitic intrusions of the Ladakh region, which are under a
compressive stress regime, can he explored and exploited also. The technology is available for
the purpose. Fossil fuels are mostly transp011ed to large distances from the plains to Ladakh.
However, small hydroelectric power generation potential does exist. Ladhak's abundant
geothermal energy resources holds a great potential for its sustainable socio-economic
development by providing clean and secure energy for various purposes .including power
generation, space heating, food processing and preservation and minerals extraction etc. The task

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ahead is to explore some of these and to generate power at Puga through national expertise and
international cooperation. Plans are being mad.e to achieve the objective.

Key words: Geothermal energy, Puga valley, enhanced geothermal systems, assessment
and utilization of resources, Ladakh

For Correspondence. (E-mail: drmohanlal g u pta@yahoo.com)

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this system, but provide better ways, means, and facilitates for it. Improvement o f agriculture can
definitely raise the economic standard o f its people and provide a sustainable development.

Green house farming, which was successfully carried out on an experimental basis at
Chumatang and is widely in vogue in many countries o f the world, can overcome the hazards of
harsh winter in Ladakh. It will ensure availability o f vegetables throughout the year. Vegetables
like cucumber, eggfruit, capsicum, tropical fruits, flowers etc. most of these have been
successfully grown in the Chumtang experimental green house heated by geothermal waters.
Mineral refining, processing and salt extraction on an experimental basis have been done in
Puga-Chumtang areas. (Krishnaswamy & Shankar 1979). Production, in controlled environment,
of fruit juices, jam, and drying o f vegetables for winter consumption, can also be done. However
the list o f non-electrical applications o f geothermal • energy is very large (Barbier 1979).
Chumatang, Panamik group (and even some other.HTS of Ladakh, not included in this paper due
to insufficient information) can be profitably utilized locally initially for so many non-electrical
purposes with appropriate initiative, planning and small investment.

A fossil fuel base power generation results in emission of gases like Carbon dioxide and
the pollution o f clean environment gets polluted. At Tangtse Ladakh, generation o f 250KV A
through diesel generators for supply to three villages for domestic lighting results in a
consumption o f 48200 liters of diesel annually. Diesel generators are at Leh and at many other
places in Ladakh. Energy and climate change issues are of great concern and are of debate today.
Predictions are that i f the pollution is kept at the present rate, the glaciers in the Himalaya will
shrink within the next 50 to 60 years and areas such as Ladakh would be first affected and
people's livelihood will collapse. It is to be noted that fields in Ladakh are irrigated with snow
and_ glacial melt waters. By switching from power generation through diesel generators to
geothermal energy based electricity will be a first step in the right direction.

Conclusions

Geothermal resources do exist and have tremendous energy potential in Ladakh, b-µt these are not
currently utilized. Our estimates, as given in this paper, have shown that the Puga Valley deep
geothermal reservoir has a power potential of 58MWe for 100 years. An analysis o f available
geodata has led to the conclusion that suitable enhanced geothermal systems do exist in various
pai1s o f Ladak. Their proper delineation and assessment awaits further studies and investigations.
Research Organizations like National Geophysical Research Institute, Wadia Institute of
Himalayan Geology, and survey organizations like Geological survey of India, have to enhance
their efforts to identify more Puga like hydrothermal fields and the probable locations o f buried
hot rocks suitable for development of artificial geothermal reservoirs.

Almost the entire Ladakh region is tectonically disturbed where crusted heat is continuously
generated. Detailed research and related geo-investigations through conceptual models are
required to identify and establish locations where geothermal based green house cultivation,
comfort space heating and agriculture base industries could be profitably started for the socio-
economic development of its people. Non-availability of sufficient power and high cost of
electricity generation with diesel stands in the way o f introduction of green house cultivation.
This can be done through planned efforts by using region's geothermal resources and even solar

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