India Must Accelerate Geothermal, Natural Hydrogen Development: Experts

Experts at the MAGMA 2026 conference organised by MIT World Peace University stressed the need for India to accelerate investments in geothermal energy and natural hydrogen to strengthen long-term energy security amid global fuel supply disruptions and geopolitical uncertainties.

The five-day workshop on Geothermal Energy Exploration and Production witnessed participation from more than 16 organisations, including the Geological Survey of India, IITs, IISER, CSIR laboratories, multinational firms such as Halliburton and Beicip-Franlab, as well as Indian companies including SEROS Energy and Thermax Limited.

Experts noted that while solar and wind energy continue to scale rapidly, India also requires stable base-load energy sources capable of generating power round the clock to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. Discussions highlighted that India’s geothermal energy potential exceeds 10 GW and could play a key role in supporting energy sovereignty.

Ashish Agarwal said geothermal energy development is critical for India’s energy security and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to advancing the sector. Meanwhile, Prakash Kumar highlighted advancements in geophysical technologies that can improve the identification of geothermal prospects with greater accuracy.

During the valedictory session, Shalivahan said geothermal energy would play a strategic and complementary role in India’s future energy mix. He also emphasised the importance of artificial intelligence, machine learning and advanced data analytics in reducing exploration uncertainty and improving commercial viability.

The conference also highlighted the emerging global interest in natural hydrogen, which experts described as a potentially low-cost clean energy source compared to conventional hydrogen production methods. India was said to possess strong geological potential for both geothermal energy and natural hydrogen across several regions.

Rajib K. Sinharay said India must adopt a mission-driven approach towards energy self-reliance through stronger collaboration between academia, industry and policymakers. Experts concluded that geothermal energy and natural hydrogen would serve as important supporting pillars alongside solar and wind in building a diversified and resilient energy ecosystem.