India Must Accelerate Geothermal & Natural Hydrogen Push to Strengthen Energy Security: Experts at MIT-WPU’s MAGMA 2026

 

India Must Accelerate Geothermal & Natural Hydrogen Push to Strengthen Energy Security: Experts at MIT-WPU’s MAGMA 2026

 

5^th May 2026, Mumbai: 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.