News

The construction of the much-anticipated 600 MW Khorlochhu Hydropower Project will commence from November 2024 following the finalisation of the Shareholders’ Agreement between Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) and Tata Power Trading Company (TPTC), which was signed on October 25, 2024, in Mumbai, India. Under this strategic partnership, the DGPC will hold a 60 percent…

The Druk Holding and Investments (DHI) is exploring the possibility of harnessing geothermal energy from potential sources across Bhutan. Geothermal energy heat offers a significant opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while providing a reliable, year-round electricity source. Currently, Bhutan relies heavily on hydropower for its electricity needs, with solar energy recently gaining attention. To…

DGPC signed an agreement with the State Bank of India on October 13, 2024, in Thimphu to avail a loan of INR 14 billion. The signing ceremony was attended by officials from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the Embassy of India, Druk Holding and Investments, as well as representatives from SBICAPs and Bank…

Bhutan’s clean energy resources and access to the vast Indian market offer promising opportunities for attracting foreign investment.  This was one of the key themes during discussions at the Bhutan Innovation Forum, which concluded on October 3.  With robust frameworks in place, the country’s portfolio of green and renewable assets—especially its hydropower—holds considerable promise for…

Bhutan is gearing up for an ambitious energy transformation over the next 15 years, aiming to add 15,000 megawatts (MW) of hydropower and between 5,000 and 6,000 MW of solar energy to its current capacity. With 2,500 MW of hydropower already operational and about 3,000 MW under construction, Bhutan plans to achieve a total installed…

The aim is to develop 1,270 MW hydro and solar power projects Bhutan has taken a major step toward expanding its renewable energy portfolio with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Bhutan Innovation Forum between Druk Holding and Investments Ltd. (DHI) and the Reliance Group. The agreement sets the stage for…

Hydropower export will no more be the primary source of foreign currency Bhutan’s domestic electricity demand is anticipated to surge by 232 percent by 2026, significantly outpacing expected export demand, according to June projections from the finance ministry. This increase will see domestic consumption rise from Nu 8.27 billion last year to an estimated Nu…

In a significant move to bolster renewable energy, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a USD 30 million loan agreement with the Royal  Government to support the Distributed Solar for Public Infrastructure Project. This initiative aims to install solar panels on the rooftops of public buildings, including government offices, hospitals, schools, markets, and parking structures,…

The 33 MW Parochu Integrated Multipurpose Hydropower Plant (IMHP), located in Tsento Gewog, Paro, is progressing steadily and has raised hopes, not only for increased energy generation but also for providing solutions to water shortages in the region.  IMHP is positioned to address multifaceted needs, blending hydropower development with water supply benefits for downstream communities.…

The second phase of small hydropower project development in the country, with a total estimated budget of Nu 20 billion, is set to commence by October this year. The second phase includes the construction of five small hydropower projects—90MW Jomori, 54MW Gamri, 26MW Druk Bindu I & II, and 25MW Begana hydropower projects. The construction…

Domestic sales increased by over Nu 1.6B while export sales decreased by Nu 2.6B Hydropower generation saw a dip in the production of power by 25.71 million units between January and June this year as compared to the same period last year. The overall generation was recorded at 3132.97 million units in the first six…

Commendable CSR initiatives in the last 10 years Final cost for the construction of the 118MW Nikachhu Hydroelectric Project (NHEP) escalated by 36% from the approved project cost of Nu 11,673.800 million (M), to the final project expense at Nu 15,989.702M. The cost includes foreign exchange loss of Nu 803.159M. While the final expenditure sky…