Geothermal Energy to power Himachal’s ‘Green Future’: CM

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while presiding over a review meeting with senior officers last evening, said that Himachal Pradesh has set an ambitious target to become a Green Energy State in 2026, aiming to meet over 90 percent of its energy demand through renewable sources. He stated that the State Government was working with a spirit of ‘Vyavastha Parivartan’, a systemic transformation, to shift Himachal Pradesh towards a clean, self-reliant and sustainable energy future.

Besides, the State is heading towards tapping the Geo-thermal energy resources. Geo Thermal energy can be a significant additional resource of renewal energy, he said, adding that “keeping in mind the changing climatic conditions, Geo Thermal energy would prove to be a sustainable and secure source of energy”.

The Chief Minister said that while Himachal Pradesh has already made significant strides in hydropower, the State is now focusing on an integrated approach involving solar and hydro energy to further reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Himachal Pradesh possesses considerable geothermal potential, especially in regions such as Manikaran and Kasol in Kullu district and Tattapani in Mandi district. These areas exhibit surface temperatures ranging from 57 to 97 degrees Celsius along with high geothermal gradients, making them suitable not only for electricity generation but also for tourism-based development centered around hot springs. Harnessing this natural resource, he said, reflects the Government’s commitment to innovative governance and optimal utilization of the State’s natural assets under the ‘Vyavastha Parivartan’ framework.

The Chief Minister said that besides reducing dependence on wood and fossil fuels, Small geothermal plants could power remote villages in Kullu, Mandi, and Lahaul-Spiti and ideal for Ideal for cold towns like Shimla, Manali and Keylong. In mountainous regions, geothermal energy offers a dependable base load supply, ensuring round-the-clock power availability.

The Chief Minister stated that though Geo thermal energy has remained largely untapped in the country as well, Himachal sees it as additional and reliable source for energy requirements in a mountainous region where solar and wind is less consistent.

Not only this the geo thermal energy will be eco friendly for homes, hotels and will help in reducing deforestation, will give boost to tourism sector through geo-thermal Spas, resorts and wellness centers around hot springs like Tattapani and Manikaran and will help promoting eco-tourism. Additionally, it will also provide local employment in drilling, plant operation and maintenance, said the Chief Minister.

He said that this would not only ensure 24X7 reliable supply, unlike solar or wind which depend on weather, but also assist farmers use geothermal heat to grow vegetables and flowers in colder climates. Apart from this it will be highly efficient and will reduce electricity bills significantly and can be used in residential and commercial buildings for both heating in winter and cooling in summer, for food drying and processing.

Counting some more advantages, the Chief Minister said that it would also ensure 24X7 electricity generation, reliable base load supply especially in remote regions of the State with improved energy security in remote and inaccessible areas of the Himachal.

Besides, Solar, wind and hydropower which dominates the Renewal energy capacity, it will an additional source, particularly in tectonic belts of the State as countries with high tectonic rate like Iceland, Indonesia, China etc. Today as many as 80 countries worldwide were actively using geothermal energy, with USA as larger producer of geo thermal energy, he remarked