SRINAGAR: Thiksay in Leh district has become home to Ladakh’s first geothermal-based space heating facility in the public health sector, with a 60 kW system commissioned at the Primary Health Centre, marking a significant step towards clean energy adoption in healthcare infrastructure across the Union Territory.
The geothermal heating system, developed as a pilot project by Energy Efficiency Services Limited for Rs 80 lakh, provides eco-friendly space heating for the health centre without relying on conventional, polluting energy sources. Officials said the initiative demonstrates how renewable technologies can be deployed effectively in remote, high-altitude regions with extreme climatic conditions.
The project traces its origins to a proposal made during a visit by the Swiss ambassador to Ladakh, who suggested exploring geothermal heating as a sustainable solution suited to the region’s geography. The Thiksay installation is intended to serve as a proof of concept, with the administration assessing its potential for replication in other health facilities and public buildings.
Officials said the system is designed to maintain indoor temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius in wards during winter, while corridors remain around 21 degrees, significantly improving comfort levels for patients and medical staff during prolonged cold spells. By reducing dependence on conventional electricity and fossil-fuel-based heating, the system is also expected to lower operational costs and carbon emissions.
The administration said the initiative aligns with its broader push to modernise healthcare facilities while integrating sustainable energy solutions. Ladakh’s public health network currently includes two district hospitals, two district tuberculosis centres, five community health centres, 32 primary health centres, two urban Ayushman Arogya Mandir PHCs and 288 sub-health centres operating under the Ayushman Arogya Mandir framework. Officials noted that 8.76 per cent of the Union Territory’s budget is allocated to health, exceeding the benchmark set under the National Health Policy, alongside coverage under schemes such as Universal Health Care and Ayushman Bharat PMJAY.
A new medical college has also been sanctioned for Ladakh, while sub-district hospitals and community health centres are being strengthened to ease referral pressure on district hospitals, particularly during winter months when access becomes difficult.
Senior officials pointed out that heating has long been a challenge in Ladakh’s government buildings and hospitals due to extreme winters and earlier financial constraints. Increased budgetary allocations following the Union Territory’s formation have enabled pilot initiatives such as the geothermal system at Thiksay, which are seen as critical to achieving Ladakh’s stated goal of moving towards carbon neutrality.
Health department officials said the new system would ease working conditions for doctors, nurses and support staff, many of whom serve in isolated, high-altitude locations, while also improving patient care during harsh weather. EESL representatives added that the organisation is implementing other energy-efficiency measures in Ladakh, including LED lighting projects in remote areas.
Local health officials and community representatives described the geothermal installation as a milestone for rural healthcare in Ladakh, expressing hope that similar clean-energy solutions would be extended to other facilities across the region.
