Will Bhutan add 5000 MW of hydropower by 2040?

He underlined Bhutan’s target of adding 15,000 MW of hydropower and 5,000 MW of solar capacity by 2040, positioning clean energy at the core of its economic growth. The Wangchhu project is the first to be executed under a broader agreement signed in May 2025 between Adani Group and DGPC to jointly develop 5,000 MW of hydropower in Bhutan.

What is Bhutan's hydropower potential?

1.3 Bhutan is endowed with huge hydropower potential together with solar, wind and biomass resources. The techno-economically viable hydropower potential is 33,000 MW from 90 sites as per the Power System Master Plan 2040 (PSMP), where these sites are mostly located outside of the ecological parks and the biological corridors.

Will the Wangchhu hydroelectric project meet Bhutan's peak winter demand?

“The Wangchhu hydroelectric project will critically meet Bhutan’s peak winter demand, when hydro power generation is low. During the summer months, it would export power to India," said S B Khyalia, CEO of Adani Power.

How will DGPC help Bhutan achieve 25,000 MW by 2040?

DGPC aims to help Bhutan achieve 25,000 MW of generation capacity by 2040 and has recently expanded into solar energy as well. Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies.

Does Bhutan need long-term energy security?

With growing demand, where the peak power demand has outpaced firm power supply by 125% in 2024 which is expected to increase further, securing the country’s long-term energy security has become ever more a priority. For Bhutan, long-term energy security means meeting winter demands when our hydropower generation ebbs to the lowest.

What are the policies governing the energy sector in Bhutan?

1.8 The energy sector was governed by several policies, such as the Bhutan Sustainable Hydropower Development Policy-2021, Alternative Renewable Energy Policy-2013, Domestic Electricity Tariff Policy-2016 and National Energy Eficiency & Conservation Policy-2019.