Overview
- MNRE’s policy establishes state-issued exploration permits of about three years with possible extensions and development licenses of up to 30 years, supported by a single-window clearance mechanism.
- It mandates a national geothermal data repository and enables use of the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons’ datasets, while encouraging repurposing of abandoned oil and gas wells.
- Officials say five pilot projects are in the works, including a 450 KWH integrated commercial pilot at the Raageshwari gas field in Barmer using three wells to be provided by Cairn Oil & Gas of Vedanta.
- The government cites active interest from US, Norwegian and Icelandic groups, noting pilot studies by foreign teams in the Gulf of Cambay, Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
- Policy tools under consideration include viability gap funding, concessional loans and tax or import relief, alongside 100% FDI and a preference for indigenous technologies, with an estimated 10 GW national potential reported.