India is moving closer to deploying Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) technology as part of a new desalination project in Lakshadweep aimed at generating electricity and drinking water using the natural temperature difference in ocean waters.
The project, being implemented by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is India’s first OTEC-powered desalination plant being developed in Kavaratti.
The facility is being designed to utilise the ocean’s thermal gradient to simultaneously produce power and convert seawater into potable water, offering a sustainable solution for island territories with limited freshwater resources.
Officials informed Union Minister for Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh during a review meeting that civil construction for the plant is nearing completion and major process equipment has already been fabricated, with installation progressing in phases.
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A key component of the project is the deployment of a nearly 3.8 Km long high-density polyethylene pipeline designed to draw cold seawater from depths exceeding 1,000 metres.
Around 250 metres of the pipeline have already been assembled, with welding operations currently underway on the southern side of the Kavaratti lagoon.
The pipeline will transport deep-sea cold water to the onshore facility, enabling the OTEC system to function effectively.
Once commissioned, the plant is expected to produce around 100 cubic metres of potable water per day while operating independently of diesel-based electricity that currently powers most infrastructure on the islands.
The project is expected to reduce fuel dependence while supporting long-term water and energy requirements in Lakshadweep.
The development forms part of a broader effort by the Ministry of Earth Sciences to integrate ocean technologies into sustainable development strategies for island regions.
Alongside the OTEC project, Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plants developed by NIOT are already operating across eight islands of Lakshadweep, providing a reliable supply of drinking water in an area historically affected by groundwater scarcity and salinity intrusion.
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