Government notifies National Policy on Geothermal Energy (2025)
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy notified the National Policy on Geothermal Energy (2025) on 17 September 2025 to promote exploration and use of geothermal energy in support of India's Net Zero 2070 goal.
Summary
The Government of India notified the National Policy on Geothermal Energy (2025), the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) announced on 17 September 2025. The policy provides a framework to promote the exploration, development and use of geothermal energy and links it with India's Net Zero 2070 goal. It covers electricity generation and direct uses such as district heating, agriculture, aquaculture and Ground Source Heat Pumps, and places regulatory and stewardship responsibility with the MNRE. It promotes R&D in hybrid geothermal-solar plants, retrofitting of abandoned oil wells and Enhanced/Advanced Geothermal Systems. The MNRE has sanctioned five projects, including pilot and resource assessment projects, to explore viability.
Key facts
- Policy
- National Policy on Geothermal Energy (2025)
- Ministry
- MNRE (regulatory and stewardship role)
- Goal link
- Net Zero by 2070
- Uses
- Power, district heating, agriculture, aquaculture, Ground Source Heat Pumps
- Technologies
- Hybrid geothermal-solar, retrofitting abandoned oil wells, EGS/AGS
- Projects sanctioned
- 5 (pilot and resource assessment)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Which ministry holds regulatory and stewardship responsibility for geothermal energy under the National Policy on Geothermal Energy (2025)?
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Correct answer: B — Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Under the policy, regulatory and stewardship responsibilities for geothermal energy rest with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
How many geothermal projects, including pilot and resource assessment projects, had MNRE sanctioned as of the notification of the National Policy on Geothermal Energy (2025)?
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Correct answer: C — Five
MNRE has sanctioned five projects in the sector, including pilot initiatives and resource assessment projects.
Consider the following statements about the National Policy on Geothermal Energy (2025): 1. It promotes R&D in retrofitting abandoned oil wells and Enhanced/Advanced Geothermal Systems. 2. It covers direct uses such as district heating and Ground Source Heat Pumps besides power generation. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the policy promotes R&D in hybrid geothermal-solar plants, retrofitting abandoned oil wells and EGS/AGS, and covers direct uses like district heating and GSHPs alongside electricity generation.