Pune: As global energy uncertainties and
geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt fuel supply chains, India must
urgently diversify its energy mix by accelerating investments in emerging
resources such as geothermal energy and natural hydrogen, experts highlighted
at MIT World Peace University’s (MIT-WPU) Annual Geothermal Meet for
Advancement, MAGMA 2026.
The
five-day exclusive workshop on Geothermal Energy Exploration and Production
(E&P) witnessed participation from over 16 organisations across the globe,
including the Geological Survey of India, IITs, IISER, CDAC, CSIR labs,
multinational companies such as Halliburton, CMG, Beicip-Franlab, Apex Wells,
and Black Reiver, as well as Indian corporates including SEROS Energy, Thermax,
and Nishra Energy, along with several Pune-based universities. SEROS Energy,
which is currently drilling geothermal wells in Puga Valley, India, was the
title sponsor of the event.
The
discussions emphasised that India’s long-term energy resilience will depend not
only on scaling solar and wind but also on developing stable, site-specific base
load energy sources that can produce energy 24x7 to reduce dependence on
imported fossil fuels and support energy sovereignty. Geothermal energy is the
most potential base load energy in India having potential more than 10 GW.
The
event was inaugurated by Dr. Ashish Agarwal, the Managing Director and CEO of
SEROS Energy as the Chief Guest. Dr. Agarwal mention that development of geothermal
energy is very important for the energy security of our country and SEROS is
committed for it. The Guest of Honour of the inauguration event was globally
reputed geophysicist and Director of National Geophysical Research Institute
(NGRI)-CSIR, Dr. Prakash Kumar. He discussed about the technology advancements
in geophysics and informed that the integrated results of the advanced
geophysical and geological methods are capable to identify the geothermal
prospects with very high accuracy.
Experts
noted that geothermal energy, while still evolving in India at exploration
stage, is being developed through a phased and risk-managed approach due to its
high upfront exploration costs and location-specific nature. Rather than being
underutilised, the sector is progressing cautiously with pilot projects and
government-backed initiatives aimed at ensuring long-term commercial viability.
The
chief guest of the valedictory function of MAGMA 2026, Dr. Shalivahan,
Director, Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE) said, “Geothermal
energy in India is being developed in a phased and responsible manner, given
its site-specific nature and high exploration costs. While it may not
immediately become a dominant energy source, it will play a strategic and
complementary role in India’s energy mix.”
He
further highlighted that geothermal energy will contribute as part of a broader
energy mix strategy rather than acting as a standalone solution. “India’s focus
should be on building a balanced energy portfolio where multiple sources
contribute to reducing import dependency and strengthening long-term energy
security,” he added.
A
key gap identified in India’s clean energy transition is the need for a more
aligned exploration strategy supported by high-quality data and advanced
technologies. Experts pointed out that technologies such as artificial
intelligence, machine learning and advanced data analytics can significantly
reduce uncertainty in subsurface exploration, improve success rates and make
emerging energy projects more economically viable.
“AI
and data-driven technologies can accelerate exploration, enable faster
decision-making and improve the commercial viability of new energy resources,” Dr.
Shalivahan noted.
The
conference also brought attention to the growing global interest in geothermal
energy with a reference to natural hydrogen, the emerging energy resources that
could potentially transform the clean energy landscape. Dr. Shalivahan
explained that unlike conventional hydrogen production methods, naturally
occurring hydrogen deposits can be extracted at significantly lower costs,
making them a promising addition to the global energy mix.
Experts
indicated that India has strong geological potential for geothermal energy and natural
hydrogen, particularly across diverse geological formations, and early
exploration efforts could position the country as a future leader in this
space. The combination of geothermal systems and hydrogen-rich zones could
further enhance discovery potential and improve resource efficiency.
Dr.
Charles P, Principal Technologist and General Manager RTIC, Thermax Limited said, “India’s energy transition must
balance ambition with practicality. While renewables such as solar and wind are
scaling rapidly, geothermal energy can play a critical role in localized energy
generation, especially in remote regions where it can reduce reliance on costly
diesel-based systems.”
Dr
Rajib K. Sinharay, Professor, Department of Petroleum Engineering, MIT-WPU and the
convenor of MAGMA 2026,
emphasised the need for a long-term, mission-driven approach to energy
development. “In today’s global context, energy security is closely linked to
economic and strategic stability. India must move beyond short-term solutions
and work towards building energy self-reliance through innovation, research and
strong collaboration between academia, industry and policymakers,” he said.
Experts
also stressed that India must adopt a more strategic and mission-oriented
approach towards energy planning, similar to national initiatives in other
sectors, to ensure it is not adversely impacted by global disruptions.
Strengthening domestic capabilities across geothermal, hydrogen and subsurface
exploration will be critical in achieving this goal.
The
discussions concluded with a consensus that while solar and wind will remain
central to India’s renewable energy growth, emerging solutions such as
geothermal energy and natural hydrogen will play a vital supporting role in
building a resilient, diversified and future-ready energy ecosystem.