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Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh Drills Northeast India's First Geothermal Production Well.

National | Dated: 21 May 2025

In May 2025, the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS), an autonomous institution under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, successfully drilled the Northeast's first geothermal production well in Dirang village, West Kameng district.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - This milestone marks a significant step toward clean and sustainable energy in the Himalayan region.
  • - The project is supported by the Arunachal Pradesh government and the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), and realized through international collaboration with Norway's Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Iceland's Geotrophye hf, and Assam-based Guwahati Boring Service.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) The Dirang project employs a closed-loop binary Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system, using geothermal heat to vaporize an organic fluid that powers a turbine to generate electricity. With reservoir temperatures around 115°C, the site is ideal for direct-use geothermal applications like space heating, agricultural drying, and storage.
  • (ii) After two years of detailed surveys in West Arunachal Pradesh, the successful drilling by CESHS sets the stage for deeper drilling in future phases—aiming to make Dirang the first fully geothermal-powered town in India.
  • (iii) Backed by the Arunachal Pradesh government and Ministry of Earth Sciences, the project is a result of collaboration with Norway’s NGI, Iceland’s Geotrophye hf, and Assam-based Guwahati Boring Service. Notably, this follows India’s first geothermal pilot plant in Manuguru, Telangana, developed by Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL).

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Recently, which village in Arunachal Pradesh became the site of Northeast India’s first geothermal production well?

Correct Answer: Dirang

🚀 Quick Recap:

About Arunachal Pradesh (AR)

  • Chief Minister (CM) : Pema Khandu
  • Governor : Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik