PNS | DEHRADUN
In a major initiative to tap geothermal energy of the tectonically active Himalayan belt of the State, the Uttarakhand government has entered an agreement with Iceland. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for exploration of geothermal energy was inked between the State government and Verkis Consultancy Engineers, a company based in Iceland on Friday at the State secretariat. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami who attended the ceremony in the virtual mode, said that the MoU will prove to be a milestone in the field of energy security and sustainable development of Uttarakhand. He said that through this MoU of geothermal energy, not only the goal of clean and renewable energy will be achieved but the path of inclusive development will also be paved while ensuring environmental safety.
Dhami said that Iceland is a leading country in the field of geothermal energy and with its technical cooperation and experience, Uttarakhand will emerge as an important state in the field of geothermal energy.
He said that necessary clearances have been received from the union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of Renewable Energy and Ministry of External Affairs for the MoU on geothermal energy. Dhami said that the cost of studying the feasibility of geothermal energy in the state will be borne by Iceland.
He said that the successful exploration and use of the geothermal energy will also be helpful in India’s resolve to become carbon neutral by 2070
It is pertinent to mention here that the Geological Survey of India and the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun have identified about 40 sites in Uttarakhand, where geothermal energy can be harnessed.
Chief secretary Radha Raturi, secretaries R Meenakshi Sundaram, Dilip Jawalkar and Dipendra Chaudhary, resident commissioner of Uttarakhand Ajay Mishra, additional secretary Ranjana Rajguru, managing director UJVN Limited Sandeep Singhal, PTCUL MD PC Dhyani, Hanker Haroldson from Verkis Company and members of Iceland embassy were present on the occasion.
