Consider the following statements: 1. The Puga valley in the Ladakh region has the most promising geothermal field. 2. The Global Geothermal Alliance (GGA) – a platform for enhanced dialogue and knowledge sharing for coordinated action to increase the share of installed geothermal electricity and heat generation worldwide. 3. The main concern with reference to geothermal energy is the release of hydrogen sulfide. Which of the above-given statements is/are correct?

Option 4 : 1, 2 and 3

The correct answer is 1, 2, 3.

• In India, Northwestern Himalayas and the western coast are considered geothermal areas.
• The USA has the world’s largest geothermal power plants followed by New Zealand, Iceland, the Philippines and Central America.
• The Puga valley in the Ladakh region has the most promising geothermal field. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The Geological Survey of India has already identified more than 350 hot spring sites, which can be explored as areas to tap geothermal energy.
• Geothermal energy can pose several environmental problems which include on-site noise, emissions of gas and disturbance at drilling sites.
• The steam contains hydrogen sulphide gas, which has the odour of rotten eggs and causes air pollution. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• The minerals in the steam are also toxic to fish and they are corrosive to pipes, and equipment, requiring constant maintenance.
• To promote wider geothermal energy development, IRENA coordinates and facilitates the work of the Global Geothermal Alliance (GGA) – a platform for enhanced dialogue and knowledge sharing for coordinated action to increase the share of installed geothermal electricity and heat generation worldwide.  Hence, statement 2 is correct.