Bhutan Makes A Serious Push For Solar In 2024-25

Bhutan, one of the world’s few carbon negative countries, hasn’t felt the urgency to add more renewables to its significant hydropower  resources until now. In its 2024-25 budget report, the country has finally made a serious start to plans to add other renewables, notably solar and wind energy to its energy mix. The document, which lays out plans to add 11,930 MW of small, medium and big hydro projects, has a significant planned allocation for 1,226 MW of solar projects this year.

There are then nine planned large hydropower projects coming to 10,579 MW. Bhutan earns a significant portion of revenues from energy exports to India, exporting almost 75% of it’s electricity generated to India in fact. Among the new Hydro projects is also a 570 MW hydro project being developed by the Adani Group in Chukha. projects also include potential pumped storage projects which could be more remunerative for Bhutan by providing power on demand during peak hours across the border in India

Apart from the hydro projects there are 16 solar projects planned which add up to 1,226 MW.

The biggest solar projects include a 200 MW in Gelephu, 200 MW in Merak Sakteng, 150 MW in Dagana, 140 MW in Trongsa, 120 mw in Jamjee and 108 MW in Wobthang. Plans are also afoot to initiate a broader rooftop solar push. However, among the larger projects, most remain at various stages of feasibility studies with only the 23 MW Sephu under construction, with the 120 mw Jamjee under tender process along with the 8 MW solar rooftop.

Wind energy plans include 23 MW of wind power projects.

There is a plan to also implement a 1 MW pilot Green Hydrogen Project to explore its suitability and potential for the country.

Bhutan is also expected to benefit more from India’s power exchanges for trading in electricity, including importing during periods when Hydropower generation is low. The mechanism is expected to fall into place this year.