Uttarakhand approves Geo-Thermal Energy Policy 2025 to tap geothermal resources

Government plans to strengthen state’s energy security through geothermal energy by reducing carbon emissions, adding to long-term environmental, energy goals

Published on: Jul 9, 2025, 17:32:34 IST

By Neeraj Santoshi

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Dehradun: The Uttarakhand cabinet on Wednesday approved the Uttarakhand Geo-Thermal Energy Policy 2025, aimed at promoting scientific and technological research to explore and develop economically and environmentally viable geothermal resources in the state.

Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami chaired the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, officials aware of the development said, adding that the policy aims to promote the use of geothermal sites for power generation, heating and cooling, water purification, and community development.

The energy department of the state, in collaboration with the Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) and Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL), will implement the policy, which applies to all geothermal projects in the state.

The government plans to strengthen the state’s energy security through geothermal energy by reducing carbon emissions and contributing to long-term environmental and energy goals.

According to officials, projects under the policy will be allotted for a maximum period of 30 years from the date of commissioning and sites identified for development can be allocated to central or state enterprises or private entities through competitive bidding or specified processes.

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If financial assistance (FA) is not available from the central government, the state government may provide financial assistance for the first two projects, subject to approval. “The state government will provide up to 50% financial assistance, up to ₹3 crore, to developers for preparing detailed geothermal project reports or assessing the feasibility of existing projects,” an official said.

Also, permission for the transfer or approval of private land will be granted as per the revenue department’s reporting standards. “For forest land or other reserved areas, leases/pattas will be granted as per the provisions of the state’s proposed lease policy, subject to state government approval or forest clearance,” the official added.

Hot springs or geothermal sources form in the Himalayan region when water percolating beneath the Earth’s surface reaches a geothermal point and exits through a thermal vent. As one goes deeper into the Earth, the temperature increases due to thermal activities such as volcanic activity, rock formation, and tectonic plate movement, which release heat and energy. When a water source passes near these zones, it absorbs the heat and emerges through thermal vents as hot springs.

Also Read: Uttarakhand working on policy for small hydropower projects: Official

Experts said that geothermal points in the Himalayan region are scattered along the geological fault line of the Main Central Thrust—where the Indian plate has pushed the Eurasian plate along the Himalayas—and hot springs are found along this fault line.

At the sixth meeting of the governing body of the National Mineral Exploration Trust on Wednesday, the cabinet also approved the Uttarakhand State Mineral Exploration Trust Rules, 2025, encouraging the formation of State Mineral Exploration Trusts. Additionally, it approved the Uttarakhand District Mineral Foundation Trust Rules, 2025, following amendments to certain provisions of the Uttarakhand District Mineral Foundation Trust Rules, 2017.

Also Read: Over 70 hot springs identified in Uttarakhand and HP for power generation

The cabinet also gave its consent to the formation of a Project Management Unit (PMU) to study the carrying capacity of bridges under the public works department (PWD), and to establish a digital forensic laboratory in the state tax department to ensure effective compliance with taxation laws through the collection, retrieval, and analysis of information and evidence.

It also decided to enlist seven companies listed by the ministry of electronics and information technology for the supply of IT-related services and materials in the state.

The cabinet also said that disabled persons will continue to receive disability pension even after their son or grandson attains adulthood (20 years)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neeraj Santoshi
Neeraj Santoshi is the Chief of Bureau for Hindustan Times in Uttarakhand, where he leads the state reporting team while covering government, politics, environment, wildlife, Uttarakhand High Court, and issues shaping the Himalayan region. With more than two decades in journalism across conflict zones, he has covered politically sensitive regions and environmentally fragile landscapes, and focused on stories that combine public interest with in-depth storytelling. An alumnus of Pune University with a Master’s in Communication Studies, he has reported extensively from Jammu & Kashmir (2003-2010), Madhya Pradesh (2010 to 2018 ) and Uttarakhand (Since 2018), covering subjects ranging from insurgency, elections and governance to wildlife conservation, mining, climate change, agriculture, human rights and social justice. He has covered politics and legislative assemblies of both Jammu & Kashmir and Madhya Pradesh over more than a decade. Before taking over as Chief of Bureau in Uttarakhand, he served as Special Correspondent with Hindustan Times in Madhya Pradesh and earlier reported for both Hindustan Times and The Indian Express in Jammu & Kashmir, where he covered state politics, environment and insurgency-related developments. Over the years, his stories have focused on environmental degradation, wildlife, illegal mining, governance and the changing social fabric of Himalayan states and Central India. He is particularly interested in long-form explanatory journalism, and stories that explore the intersection of ecology, conservation, governance and society. Outside the newsroom, Neeraj enjoys reading widely on neuroscience, consciousness studies, Artificial Intelligence and quantum physics, with a special interest in Kashmiri Tantric Shaivist traditions. He is also passionate about wildlife, mountaineering and the Himalayas, interests that continue to inform his reporting and deepen his understanding of the region he covers.Read More

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