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For much of Bhutan’s history, its commercial electricity has primarily come from a single source: hydropower. The country’s abundant river system generates such an excess of hydroelectric power that it exports around 5,000 million units to India each year. However, hydropower is highly dependent on seasonal variations. During the winter, when rainfall is scarce and river levels drop, Bhutan faces energy shortages and relies on imported electricity from India to meet its needs.
These imports, amounting to about 300 million units annually, not only increase costs for consumers but also have environmental implications. However, Bhutan is on the brink of a significant change with the Sephu Solar Project. Set to begin operations in early 2025, it will mark a milestone in the country’s energy history as the first commercial renewable energy source in Bhutan.
Sonam Zam, ADB Project Officer, said in a statement, “Why it is important is because we need to diversify from the hydropower into the solar power because it will curtail the import of electricity from India.”
Keshab Dhakal, Site Engineer, further added, “We are also excited and we are new to this solar because it is the diversification of energy from hydro and other forms. So this is the first of its kind, as I said, the first utility scale project in Bhutan.”
Sonam Zam, ADB Project Officer, mentioned, “So with the diversification of energy into other alternative renewables such as solar, we will be able to become self-sufficient and I do see a future where Bhutan can be able to meet all its domestic requirements from the renewable energy sector.”
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided over $18 million in grants and loans to support the project, with an additional $1 million from the Government of Bhutan. This initiative will contribute 17 megawatts of clean energy to Bhutan’s power grid, bringing the country closer to achieving full energy independence.
Keshab Dhakal, Site Engineer, also commented, “I should first thank the Asian Development Bank for having given the money to construct the project. And I’m very much excited to work here at this site. The experience that is gained from this project will certainly help benefit the work further in other projects in the country in the future. |
