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Geothermal & Tidal Energy in India GK Questions & Answers
Geothermal and tidal energy represent high-load-factor non-fossil baseload alternatives within India’s renewable energy matrix under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has catalogued approximately 340 geothermal hot springs across seven major geothermal provinces: the Himalayan Geothermal Belt, Sohana, West Coast, Cambay, Son-Narmada-Tapi (SONATA), Godavari, and Mahanadi basins, possessing an estimated aggregate capacity of 10,600 MW thermal. The Puga Valley in Ladakh’s Changthang region represents the most promising high-enthalpy geothermal reservoir in India, where hot fluid discharges exceed 110°C at shallow depths of 500 metres; ONGC is executing India’s maiden 1 MW geothermal pilot power project at Puga. In the ocean energy domain, tidal power harnesses kinetic and potential hydraulic head differentials created by gravitational interactions of the Moon, Sun, and Earth. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) estimates India’s total tidal power potential at roughly 12,455 MW, concentrated predominantly in macro-tidal estuaries: the Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat (7,000 MW with tidal ranges exceeding 8 to 11 metres), the Gulf of Kutch (1,200 MW), and the Sundarbans delta in West Bengal (roughly 100 MW at Durgaduani Creek).
High-yield conceptual summaries for competitive exams and rapid revision.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has identified approximately 340 geothermal hot springs across seven distinct geothermal provinces in India.
India's total estimated geothermal energy potential is approximately 10,600 MW, according to assessments by MNRE and GSI.
Puga Valley and Chumathang in Ladakh represent India's most geothermal-active fields, characterized by high-enthalpy mud pools and thermal springs.
ONGC Energy Centre is developing India's first commercial-scale 1 MW geothermal power generation plant at Puga Valley in eastern Ladakh.
Manikaran in the Parbati Valley of Himachal Pradesh is a notable geothermal field with surface water temperatures reaching boiling point (96°C to 98°C).
Tattapani geothermal field in Balrampur district of Chhattisgarh lies along the Son-Narmada-Tapi (SONATA) lineament zone.
Bakreshwar hot spring in Birbhum district, West Bengal, is unique for discharging measurable quantities of helium along with geothermal thermal waters.
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) estimates India's aggregate tidal power potential at approximately 12,455 MW.
The Gulf of Khambhat (Cambay) in Gujarat possesses the highest tidal power potential in India, estimated at 7,000 MW with tidal ranges of 8 to 11 metres.
The Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat has an estimated tidal power potential of 1,200 MW, suitable for tidal barrage or in-stream tidal turbine deployment.
The Sundarbans delta in West Bengal offers around 100 MW of tidal energy potential, where a 3.75 MW pilot project was planned at Durgaduani Creek.
In 2019, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy formally clarified that ocean energy (tidal, wave, OTEC) qualifies as renewable energy for Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO).
Tidal energy exploits the gravitational attraction of the Moon and Sun, providing periodic, predictable power unaffected by meteorological seasonality.
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) harnesses the temperature gradient between warm surface waters (>=25°C) and deep ocean waters (5°C at 1,000m depth).
National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) operates an experimental low-temperature thermal desalination and OTEC research facility in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep.
hardGlobal Sobriquets & Epithets: Big Apple, Eternal City, City of Canals
Which capital city of Iceland, powered almost entirely by geothermal energy, is called the 'Smokeless City' despite its name historically translating to 'Smoky Bay'?
Verified Explanation
Reykjavik (literally 'Smoky Bay' from natural steam vents) is dubbed the 'Smokeless City' due to its clean air and complete transition to geothermal district heating.
2ID: GK-CITY-00597
hardGlobal Sobriquets & Epithets: Big Apple, Eternal City, City of Canals
Which northernmost capital city in the world, whose name translates literally from Old Norse to 'Smoky Bay' due to the steam rising from its geothermal hot springs, is located in Iceland?
Verified Explanation
Reykjavík (literally 'Smoky Bay' in Icelandic, from reykur 'smoke/steam' and vík 'bay') was named by Norse settler Ingólfr Arnarson in 874 CE after the geothermal steam plumes rising from the ground.
3ID: GK-MNRL-00147
hardCritical Minerals Mission, Lithium & REEs
Besides hard-rock pegmatites, which geothermal brine area in the Union Territory of Ladakh has shown high concentrations of Lithium, Caesium, and Rubidium in exploratory sampling by GSI and AMD?
Verified Explanation
The geothermal mud pools and thermal springs of Puga Valley and Chumathang in eastern Ladakh exhibit anomalous concentrations of Lithium (up to 480 ppm), Caesium, Rubidium, and Borax, representing prospective unconventional geothermal brine sources.
4ID: GK-ENRG-00076
easySolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Missions
Where is India's premier geothermal energy exploration and pilot power plant project being developed by ONGC in high-altitude geothermal springs?
Verified Explanation
Puga Valley in the Changthang region of Ladakh is recognized as India's most promising geothermal field due to strong hydrothermal activity and high sub-surface temperatures. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) commenced drilling for India's first commercial geothermal energy pilot project in Puga to generate clean, firm base-load power for Ladakh.
5ID: GK-ENRG-00322
hardSolar, Wind & Green Hydrogen Initiatives
In which high-altitude valley of Ladakh is India's first exploratory Geothermal Energy Field Development Project being executed by ONGC Energy Centre?
Verified Explanation
Puga Valley in Ladakh sits on a tectonic collision zone between the Indian and Eurasian plates, displaying intense geothermal manifestations like hot springs and mud pools. ONGC is developing India's maiden pilot geothermal plant here.
6ID: GK-CTRY-00559
mediumEuropean Nations
What is the capital city of Iceland, famously powered almost entirely by geothermal energy and recognised as the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state?
Verified Explanation
Reykjavík is located at latitude 64°08' N, making it the northernmost capital of a sovereign state, home to over two-thirds of Iceland's total population.
7ID: GK-GSCI-00497
mediumChemistry in Everyday Life
Which gas is primarily responsible for the characteristic pungent, rotten-egg odor often encountered in volcanic geothermal gases and foul sewer lines?
Verified Explanation
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a colorless chalcogen-hydride gas with the distinctive foul odor of rotten eggs, produced by anaerobic microbial breakdown of organic sulfur compounds.
8ID: GK-ENV-00074
easyPollution Greenhouse Gases
Which renewable energy harnesses thermal heat energy naturally generated and stored within the Earth's sub-surface crust and magma mantle?
Verified Explanation
Geothermal power plants tap underground reservoirs of steam and hot water (e.g. in Iceland, the Geysers in California) to drive electric turbines.
9ID: GK-CTRY-00038
mediumEuropean Nations & Capitals
What is the capital city of Iceland, the northernmost capital of a sovereign state?
Verified Explanation
Reykjavik (64°08' N) in southwestern Iceland is powered almost entirely by geothermal energy.
10ID: GK-CTRY-00094
mediumEuropean Nations
What is the capital city of Iceland, recognized as the world's northernmost capital city of a sovereign nation?
Verified Explanation
Reykjavik (meaning "Smoky Bay") sits at 64° 08' N latitude, powered almost entirely by geothermal and hydroelectric renewable energy.