Work has formally begun on the 570 megawatt Wangchhu Hydropower Project in Bhutan, signalling a fresh phase in cooperation between Bhutan and India in the clean energy sector. The project was launched with a foundation stone ceremony in Thimphu, attended by Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani.
The hydropower venture is being developed through a joint partnership between Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation and the Adani Group. Under the agreed structure, Druk Green Power Corporation will retain a majority stake of 51 per cent, while the Adani Group will hold the remaining 49 per cent. The arrangement is designed to ensure Bhutan maintains ownership and control of its natural resources while drawing on private-sector experience in executing large-scale infrastructure projects.
The Wangchhu project marks the first step under a broader agreement signed in May 2025, through which the two partners committed to jointly developing 5,000 megawatts of hydropower capacity across Bhutan. The current project is expected to involve an investment of around Rs 60 billion and will include not only power generation facilities but also related infrastructure. Construction is scheduled to be completed within five years.
Commenting on the development, Gautam Adani described the project as a significant milestone in strengthening energy ties between the two countries. In a message shared on social media, he expressed gratitude to the Bhutanese leadership for their support and underlined that the partnership is rooted in sustainability, mutual trust, and long-term value creation.
Adani also referred to his involvement in Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative, which he described as a visionary model for sustainable and mindful development inspired by the country’s leadership. The Wangchhu Hydropower Project is expected to contribute substantially to Bhutan’s clean energy output, support economic growth, and reinforce its position as a key producer of renewable power in the region.
