Indian utilities to develop 3,000 Mw Hydro projects in Bhutan
The four state run power utilities which include NTPC, NHPC, Satlaj Jal Vidyut Nigam and Tehri Hydro Power Development Corporation will develop 3,000 Mw of hydro power projects in Bhutan. Ninety per cent of the power generated from these projects will be transmitted to India. The four projects due for development in Bhutan are the 600-Mw Amochu project, the 720-Mw Mangnechu project, the 670-Mw Chamkharchhu project, and the 1,800-Mw Kuri-Gongri hydroelectric venture.
India has offered to work on the Amochu venture on either an ownership or a joint venture basis, depending on Bhutan’s decision. At present, Bhutan prefers to retain the ownership of the projects. Prerequisite tasks for these projects are under way; with the detailed project report (DPR) for the Mangnechu plant already being submitted, while DPRs for the Kuri-Gongri and Chamkharchhu projects are being prepared. Bhutan has the potential to generate about 300,000 Mw of power a year, of which 145,000 Mw is accessible. However, the country’s installed capacity till date is just 1,490 Mw.
