Published: 8 March 2026PIB / WION NewsScience & Technology
India Reviews World's First Integrated OTEC Plant in Lakshadweep; Project Under Deep Ocean Mission
AQuick answer
In March 2026, India reviewed progress of the world's first self-powered Integrated OTEC plant in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep, developed under the Deep Ocean Mission. The plant produces 65 kW power and 1 lakh litres of fresh water daily using the ocean's temperature gradient, with no chemicals or external power input.
Key facts
India reviewed the world's first self-powered Integrated Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plant in March 2026.
Location: Kavaratti, Lakshadweep — developed under the Ministry of Earth Sciences' Deep Ocean Mission.
The plant generates 65 kW of electricity using the ocean's temperature gradient (difference between warm surface water and cold deep water).
It also produces 1 lakh litres (100,000 litres) of fresh water daily through desalination.
The plant operates without any chemicals or external power input, making it fully self-sustaining.
Deep Ocean Mission is one of India's nine PM GatiShakti-linked national missions for blue economy development.
In March 2026, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh reviewed the progress of India's first Integrated Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plant being developed in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep. The plant, developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) under the Deep Ocean Mission (₹4,077 crore, Ministry of Earth Sciences), is described as the world's first self-powered OTEC-desalination facility.
The plant exploits the ~24°C temperature gradient between warm surface seawater (~29°C) and cold deep seawater (~5°C drawn from 1,000 m depth via a 3.8 km HDPE pipeline) to generate electricity through thermodynamic cycles. It produces 65 kW of electricity and 1 lakh litres (100 m³) of potable water daily using Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) — chemical-free and self-powered. Unlike previous pilot projects in Hawaii and Japan, India's OTEC plant uses its own generated electricity to run the desalination unit, making it globally unique. The project aligns with India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and its commitment to non-fossil energy security for remote island territories.
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Mains angle
Q: Examine the significance of India's Integrated OTEC plant at Kavaratti, reviewed in March 2026, for island energy security and blue-economy goals.
Answer (50 words):
Developed by NIOT under the ₹4,077 crore Deep Ocean Mission, Kavaratti's self-powered OTEC plant is the world's first to run its own desalination using a 24°C ocean thermal gradient via a 3.8 km HDPE pipeline. It produces 65 kW electricity and one lakh litres of fresh water daily, strengthening Lakshadweep's energy security.
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Linked questionMedium
Under which government mission is India's first integrated OTEC plant being developed in Lakshadweep?
Explanation · Correct answer A
India's first integrated Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plant in Lakshadweep is being developed under the Deep Ocean Mission, which aims to explore ocean resources for sustainable energy.
What is OTEC and where is India's integrated OTEC plant located?
OTEC stands for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion, a technology that generates electricity using the temperature difference between warm surface water and cold deep ocean water. India's world-first self-powered integrated OTEC plant is located at Kavaratti, Lakshadweep.
Under which national mission was the Kavaratti OTEC plant developed?
The Kavaratti OTEC plant was developed under the Deep Ocean Mission, which is one of India's nine PM GatiShakti-linked national missions implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
What is the power generation and freshwater production capacity of the Kavaratti OTEC plant?
The plant generates 65 kW of electricity and produces 1 lakh litres (100,000 litres) of fresh water daily through desalination, without using any chemicals or external power input.
Why is the Kavaratti OTEC plant significant from an RPSC exam perspective?
It is the world's first self-powered integrated OTEC plant, making it a landmark achievement for India's blue economy and renewable energy goals. It demonstrates India's capability in ocean-based clean energy technology under the Deep Ocean Mission.
What makes the Deep Ocean Mission important for India's development goals?
The Deep Ocean Mission supports India's blue economy by exploring deep-sea resources, developing ocean-based clean energy, and advancing marine technology. It is linked to the PM GatiShakti national master plan for multi-modal connectivity and infrastructure.
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