Bhutan has added 86 megawatts of hydropower capacity to its operational energy portfolio following the formal transfer of two newly commissioned projects to Druk Green Power Corporation Limited (DGPC) for regular operations and maintenance.
Druk Hydro Energy Limited (DHyE), a wholly owned subsidiary of DGPC, has handed over the 54 MW Burgangchhu Hydropower Project in Zhemgang and the 32 MW Yungichhu Hydropower Project in Lhuentse to DGPC’s Operation & Maintenance Services Centre.
Both plants were commissioned this year and have since moved into regular commercial operation, marking the transition from project development to long-term power generation and management.
The larger of the two facilities, Burgangchhu, is expected to produce about 260 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually. Yungichhu is projected to contribute another 157 GWh each year. Together, the two projects are therefore expected to generate around 417 GWh of electricity annually.
The transfer represents an important step in the implementation of DGPC’s Phase I Small Hydropower Programme, under which Bhutan has been expanding smaller-scale generation alongside its larger hydropower developments.
Beyond increasing generation capacity, the programme is aimed at strengthening domestic expertise in developing, operating and maintaining hydropower infrastructure. Bringing the two projects under DGPC’s dedicated operations and maintenance framework is expected to consolidate that technical capacity over their operational life.
The addition of Burgangchhu and Yungichhu also contributes to Bhutan’s broader efforts to reinforce energy security through renewable generation. With electricity demand growing and energy reliability becoming increasingly important, expanding domestic hydropower capacity is expected to support a more secure and self-reliant electricity system.
The commissioning and subsequent handover of the two plants consequently marks not only the completion of individual projects but another step in Bhutan’s long-term strategy of using its hydropower resources to build a sustainable renewable energy future.
