The Future of Geothermal in India

As one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, India faces a dual challenge: sustaining rapid economic development while meeting its commitments to energy security and decarbonization. The government of India has set ambitious goals to achieve energy independence by 2047 and net-zero emissions by 2070 while also ensuring reliable and affordable energy for its population.

To accomplish these goals, India needs to diversify its clean energy mix beyond solar, wind, and hydropower and accelerate the adoption of firm, clean energy sources that can provide round-the-clock reliability. The country’s geothermal potential can play a key role.

India’s geothermal potential is vast and widely distributed. Project InnerSpace analysis estimates the country has more than 11,000 gigawatts of direct-use industrial heat potential (with a 100°C cut-off temperature down to 3,500 metres) and more than 1,500 gigawatts of geothermal cooling potential. Additionally, India has technical potential for roughly 450 gigawatts of electricity generation (down to 5 kilometres) today and more than 8,000 gigawatts of electricity (down to 7 kilometres) as technology improves. This potential means every state could deploy this energy source through electricity, industrial heat, or cooling.

By embracing this opportunity, India can make geothermal energy a cornerstone of its clean energy transition—enhancing energy security, reducing industrial emissions, and supporting regional equity. The country can position itself at the forefront of the global geothermal transition, ensuring a reliable, domestic, affordable, and low-carbon energy future for generations to come.

This report was published in partnership with authors, contributors, and peer reviewers from the Council on Energy, Environment and Water; Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy; Pandit Deendayal Energy University; Banaras Hindu University; National Institute of Technology, Calicut; Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad; University of Texas at Austin; Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati; Manipur University; Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs; Institute for Climate Innovation; and Environmental Defense Fund’s India program.