BHEL Commission Punatsangchhu-II Hydel project in Bhutan

The government of India-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has successfully commissioned two units of the 6×170 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan. The 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project is being developed by the Punatsangchhu II Hydroelectric Project Authority, under an Agreement between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of India.

BHEL is the supplier of turbines and other electro-mechanical equipment necessary for the operation of hydroelectric plants.

in Bhutan, the BHEL has executed major projects like 4x84 MW Chukha, 4x15 MW Kurichhu, 6x170 MW Tala, and 4x180 MW Mangdechhu hydel projects.  With the commissioning of these two units of the Punatsangchhu-II project, BHEL’s contribution to the total installed capacity in Bhutan now stands at nearly 89%. BHEL is also supplying turbines for the  6x200 MW Punatsangchhu-I hydel project in Bhutan.

Punatsangchhu Hydroelectric Project

• The Punatsangchhu Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan is being developed under the provisions of the India-Bhutan Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Hydroelectric Power signed in  July 2006.
• The  Punatsangchhu Hydroelectric Project is being developed in two Phases- 1200 MW Phase -I and 1020 MW Phase II project.
• The project is being developed on Punatsangchhu River which is also known as the Sankosh River. The river originates in Bhutan and flows into  River Brahmaputra in Assam.
• The  1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project is being constructed in the Wangdue Phodrang district in Western Bhutan.
• It is a run-of-the-river project.

Bhutan-India Hydropower Relations

India and Bhutan enjoy close relations and India is a major aid giver to Bhutan. Bhutan is a water surplus country and has large hydro electric potential. India has been assisting Bhutan in the development of its hydroelectric projects and it is the major buyer of electricity produced.

The contribution of the sale of the hydroelectric is highest in Bhutan’s gross domestic product (GDP). 

The sale of hydropower is the most important export item of the country.

• The first hydropower agreement between the two governments was the Jaldhaka Hydropower in 1961. The Jaldhaka project is situated in West Bengal and the major part of the power produced is exported to Bhutan.
• Bhutan's first major hydropower project 336 MW Chukha Hydropower Project was commissioned in 1987 and was built with Indian assistance. The project has been built over Wangchu River/Basin in Bhutan 
• The 1,020 MW Tala Hydroelectric Project built on Wangchu River/Basin in Bhutan was also fully funded by the government of India.
• 720 MW Mangdechhu hydroelectric project on the Mangdechhu River was commissioned in 2019.

Joint Venture Hydroelectric Project

In 2014 both the countries signed an agreement to develop hydroelectric power projects through a joint venture. From Bhutan, the government-owned  Druk Green Power Corporation is a partner in the joint venture.

The projects to be developed under the joint venture are as follows:

• 600 MW Kholongchhu Project- It is being developed by Indian company SJVNL Bhutanese government-owned Druk Green Power Corporation. It is a run-of-the-river project on the Kholongchhu River in Bhutan.
• 180 MW Bunakha Project- It is being developed by THDC Ltd. of India and Druk Green Power Corporation. It is being built on the Wangchu River.
• 570 MW Wangchu Project -  It is being developed by SJVNL from India and Druk Green Power Corporation.  It is being built on the Wangchu River.
• 70 MW Chamkarchu Project-  It is being developed by NHPC from India and Druk Green Power Corporation. It is being built on the Chamkarchu River/Basin in Bhutan.