STATUS OF EXPLORATION FOR GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES IN INDIA

This paper gives a detailed description of the results achieved in geothermal exploration studies in various areas of India, including shallow and deep drilling. Two areas appear to be the most promising targets for further investigation: Puga and Tatapani. The various uses of the geothermal resource are space-heating, including greenhouses, refrigeration, refining by chemical by-products and, finally, power generation. The data obtained so far suggest that Puga area alone has high-enthalpy resources capable of exploitation for electricity generation through binary cycles. The potential for power generation has been estimated at 1840 Mwe using binary cycles and 10,000 Mwt for direct heat utilization.