**Executive Summary**
This document summarizes a review of ocean-based desalination projects in Lakshadweep, focusing on strengthening water security and advancing sustainable energy solutions. Key projects include operational Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plants and the upcoming Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) powered desalination facility. The review highlights the progress of these initiatives and their importance for the island territory.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Operational LTTD Plants:**
* LTTD plants are currently operational on eight islands in Lakshadweep.
* These plants provide a reliable source of potable water, addressing challenges of limited groundwater, salinity intrusion, and seasonal rainfall dependence.
* The technology utilizes the natural temperature difference between warm surface and cold deep-sea water (350-400 meters depth).
* Maintenance practices are supported by trained local manpower.
* Availability of desalinated water has improved access to safe drinking water and reduced reliance on rainwater harvesting.
* **Upcoming OTEC-Powered Desalination Plant:**
* The country's first OTEC-powered desalination plant is under development in Kavaratti.
* This project aims to simultaneously generate electricity and potable water by utilizing the ocean's natural thermal gradient.
* Civil construction is nearing completion, and major process equipment has been fabricated.
* A 3.8 km long high-density polyethylene pipeline is being deployed to draw cold seawater from depths exceeding 1,000 meters.
* Pipeline section welding is in progress, with approximately 250 meters assembled.
* The pipeline will transport deep-sea cold water to the onshore facility.
* Upon commissioning, the plant will have a capacity of approximately 100 cubic meters of potable water per day.
* The OTEC plant will operate independently of diesel-based electricity, reducing fuel dependence.
* The project is expected to support long-term energy and water requirements for the island community.
* **Overall Goals and Vision:**
* The review emphasized advancing indigenous ocean technologies for island and coastal regions.
* Timelines for remaining implementation phases were reviewed.
* The combined progress of LTTD and OTEC initiatives represents a step towards integrating ocean science with sustainable development goals in island territories.
* These initiatives are expected to strengthen water security and explore clean energy opportunities in tropical ocean environments.
**Impact Analysis**
* **Lakshadweep Island Community**
* **Impact:** Improved access to a reliable and safe source of drinking water, reduced dependence on seasonal rainfall and rainwater harvesting, and potential for reduced fuel dependence for electricity generation.
* **Action Required:** Benefit from the ongoing and upcoming desalination initiatives.
* **National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT)**
* **Impact:** Continues to lead the implementation and operation of critical ocean technology projects, demonstrating expertise in desalination and sustainable energy solutions.
* **Action Required:** Continue fabrication, installation, and operationalization of the OTEC plant and associated infrastructure, as well as ongoing maintenance of LTTD plants.
* **Union Territory Administration**
* **Impact:** Benefits from improved water security and potential for cleaner energy solutions for the islands, requiring local manpower support for plant operations.
* **Action Required:** Continue to support the maintenance practices of the plants with trained local manpower.
* **Ministry of Earth Sciences**
* **Impact:** Achieves progress on key ocean technology projects aligned with strengthening water security and advancing sustainable energy for island territories.
* **Action Required:** Oversee the implementation and progress of the reviewed projects and their integration with sustainable development goals.
Key Entities Referenced
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister for Earth Sciences and Science and Technology, who reviewed the progress of key ocean technology projects.
Ministry of Earth Sciences: The government ministry responsible for overseeing the ocean technology projects.
National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT): The implementing agency for the ocean technology projects in Lakshadweep.
Lakshadweep: The island territory where the desalination projects are being reviewed and implemented.
Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plants: Existing operational plants providing potable water across the islands.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Dr. Jitendra Singh Reviews Progress of Ocean-
Based Desalination Projects in Lakshadweep
with officials and Ocean experts
Minister takes stock of deep-sea pipeline installation and
ocean thermal desalination systems with scientists from
National Institute of Ocean Technology
Posted On: 07 MAR 2026 3:15PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Earth Sciences and Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh reviewed the progress
of key ocean technology projects being implemented by the National Institute of Ocean Technology
(NIOT) in Lakshadweep, with a focus on strengthening water security and advancing sustainable energy
solutions for the island territory.
During the review meeting with NIOT scientists and officials in Kavaratti, the Minister assessed the
functioning of the existing Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plants operating across the
islands and took stock of the upcoming Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) powered desalination
facility being developed in Kavaratti.
Officials informed the Minister that LTTD plants established by the Ministry of Earth Sciences through
NIOT are currently operational across eight islands of Lakshadweep, providing a reliable source of
potable water in a region that has historically faced challenges due to limited groundwater resources,
salinity intrusion and dependence on seasonal rainfall. The technology converts seawater into drinking
water by using the natural temperature difference between warm surface water and cold deep-sea water
drawn from depths of about 350 to 400 metres.
The Minister reviewed the operational performance of the plants and discussed maintenance practices
being undertaken with the support of trained local manpower under the Union Territory administration.
Officials noted that the availability of desalinated water has helped improve access to safe drinking water
across the islands and reduced dependence on rainwater harvesting systems.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also reviewed the progress of the country’s first OTEC-powered desalination plant
being developed at Kavaratti. The project aims to generate electricity and potable water simultaneously by
utilising the ocean’s natural thermal gradient. The Minister was briefed that civil construction for the plant
is nearing completion and major process equipment has already been fabricated, with installation taking
place in phases.
The review also focused on the deployment of a nearly 3.8 km long high-density polyethylene pipeline
designed to draw cold seawater from depths of more than 1,000 metres for the OTEC system. NIOT
officials informed the Minister that welding of pipeline sections is currently underway on the southernside of the Kavaratti lagoon, with about 250 metres of pipeline already assembled. The pipeline will play a
crucial role in transporting deep-sea cold water to the onshore facility, enabling the desalination process
and power generation.
According to officials, once commissioned, the plant will have a desalination capacity of about 100 cubic
metres of potable water per day and will operate independently of diesel-based electricity, which currently
powers most infrastructure in the islands. The project is expected to reduce fuel dependence while
supporting the long-term energy and water requirements of the island community.
During the review, the Minister emphasised the importance of advancing indigenous ocean technologies
that address the unique challenges faced by island and coastal regions. He also interacted with scientists
and engineers involved in the project and reviewed timelines for the remaining phases of implementation.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences said the combined progress of LTTD facilities and the upcoming OTEC-
powered desalination plant represents a step towards integrating ocean science with sustainable
development goals in island territories. Once operational, the initiatives are expected to further strengthen
water security while exploring clean energy opportunities in tropical ocean environments.
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