Assessment of subsurface temperature distribution from the gauged wells of Puga Valley, Ladakh

Background After decades of research carried out in India by several government organizations, a decision has been taken to generate 1000 MW of electricity using geothermal energy by 2022. Geothermal energy is perceived as a hidden potential in the earth’s crust. The USA, Indonesia, Philippines, Italy, Mexico and Iceland are the leading nations in utilizing this potential. Research efforts in India on geothermal energy date back to year of 1862 (Guha 1986). As a part of this effort, the Geological Survey of India explored 340 hot springs and a few potential geothermal provinces with an overall potential of 10,600 MW. These springs are grouped into seven geothermal provinces namely Himalayan (Puga–Chumathang), Sahara Valley, Cambay Basin, Son-Narmada-Tapi Lineament Belt, West Coast, Godavari Basin and Mahanadi Basin. However, subsequent research in exploring and tapping this energy resource remains inadequate and no remarkable progress has been achieved in the production of electricity on an industrial scale Abstract