Uttarakhand-Iceland Partnership for Geothermal Energy

In a significant step toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2070, the Uttarakhand government has initiated a collaboration with Iceland, a global leader in geothermal energy, to harness the geothermal potential in the state. This partnership aims to explore the vast geothermal resources of Uttarakhand, paving the way for sustainable energy solutions. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iceland’s Verkis Consulting Engineers, the state is set to leverage geothermal energy for electricity generation, marking a crucial milestone in the development of renewable energy resources in India.

Key Highlights

Objective

• Achieving carbon neutrality by 2070.
• Harnessing geothermal energy for sustainable power generation.

Geothermal Sites

• Uttarakhand identified 40 geothermal sites across the state.
• These sites offer potential for geothermal energy production.

Partnership

• MoU signed with Iceland-based firm Verkis Consulting Engineers.
• Focus on the ‘Exploration and Development of Geothermal Energy in Uttarakhand.’

Key Players

• Uttarakhand Government: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
• Iceland: Ambassador Dr. Benedikt Hoskuldsson and Verkis Consulting Engineers.

Feasibility Study

• The Icelandic government will cover the costs for the feasibility study.
• A technical study will assess the viability of geothermal energy extraction.

Clearance from Indian Government

• Received approvals from Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and Ministry of External Affairs.

Role of Verkis Consulting Engineers

• Expertise in geothermal energy development.
• Technical capabilities to fast-track geothermal projects in Uttarakhand.

Energy Potential

• Geothermal energy can be used for electricity generation, direct heating, and even residential/commercial heating and cooling through geothermal heat pumps.

Assessment and Identification

• Assessment conducted by Geological Survey of India and Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology.
• Identified approximately 40 potential geothermal sites.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	Uttarakhand-Iceland Partnership for Geothermal Energy
Objective	Achieve carbon neutrality by 2070, harness geothermal energy.
Geothermal Sites Identified	40 sites across Uttarakhand.
Partnership	MoU signed with Iceland’s Verkis Consulting Engineers.
Key Figures	CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, Dr. Benedikt Hoskuldsson, Verkis Consulting Engineers.
Feasibility Study Funding	Icelandic government to bear the costs for feasibility study.
Clearance from Indian Govt	Approvals from Ministry of Environment, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, and Ministry of External Affairs.