Work on the 1,125-megawatt Dorjilung Hydropower Project officially entered its pre-construction phase yesterday, with ground-breaking ceremonies held in Monggar and Lhuentse to mark the start of key infrastructure development.
The ceremonies launched the construction of major tunnel systems that will support one of Bhutan’s largest hydropower ventures. At Kurizampa in Monggar, religious rituals and formal proceedings were led by the Monggar Lam Neten to begin excavation works for a cable access tunnel, associated connection tunnels, and a construction tunnel linked to the project’s future headrace tunnel.
These structures will serve as critical access routes for workers and will house power and communication lines required during construction and operation.
The tunnel package, valued at over Nu 472 million, has been awarded to Rigsar Construction Private Limited and is scheduled for completion within 10 months.
The Dorjilung project, once completed, is expected to become one of the country’s most significant hydropower installations. The project includes what officials describe as Bhutan’s largest dam, to be built at Rewan near Autsho in Lhuentse. Water from the dam will be channelled through a 15-kilometre headrace tunnel—the longest of its kind in the country—to an underground powerhouse near Lingmethang.
According to Tempa, Executive Engineer with the Design and Engineering Division of the Dorjilung Hydropower Project, the powerhouse will contain six generating units.
“Each turbine will generate more than 187 megawatts of electricity, bringing the total installed capacity to 1,125 megawatts,” he said.
A separate ground-breaking ceremony was also conducted at Rewan for the construction of diversion tunnels, attended by the Dorji Lopon and senior monks of the Lhuentse Rabdey.
The diversion tunnel contract, worth Nu 2.3 billion, has been awarded to India-based Patel Engineering Limited. The company is expected to complete the works within 10 months.
Officials said supporting infrastructure such as roads and bridges leading to the project area are also being developed simultaneously to facilitate construction activities.
The Dorjilung Hydropower Project is being implemented through a public-private partnership between Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation and India’s Tata Power.
Estimated to cost around USD 1.7 billion, equivalent to roughly Nu 161 billion, the project is targeted for completion by 2031 and is expected to play a major role in strengthening Bhutan’s energy sector and long-term economic growth.
