RENUKA RAI
Thimphu
On May 15, the Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay inaugurated the 18 MW Suchhu hydroelectric project in Haa built within a record time of 27 months at a cost of Nu. 2,556 million.
The 18 MW Suchhu hydropower plant is the first of the small hydropower projects, as envisioned by His Majesty the King during the Covid-19 pandemic, to be commissioned and put on the grid.
As part of the first phase of the small hydropower projects, the 54 MW Burgangchhu under Zhemgang and 32 MW Yungichhu under Lhuntse are also expected to be commissioned by September 2025.
These small projects are expected to improve the reliability of power supply in the remote areas of Bhutan, especially during natural calamities that could disrupt and disconnect such remote areas from the national grid.
Another major objective of these small hydropower projects was to build Bhutanese human resources and capacity in the hydropower sector. The Suchhu project was entirely designed and engineered and the construction managed by DGPC. The hydromechanical components were designed, manufactured and installed by Bhutan Hydropower Services.
The SCADA system was designed, engineered and manufactured by Bhutan Automation Services. Support services were provided by the Hydropower Research & Development Centre. These entities are either subsidiary companies or units under DGPC.
The civil works and the water conductor system were taken up by a private Bhutanese construction company, Vajra Builders Pvt Ltd.
Only the electro-mechanical equipment had to be outsourced to an Indian manufacturer, Flovel Energy Pvt Ltd. Even in this, the erection and commissioning of the electro-mechanical equipment was outsourced to DGPC.
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said that the inauguration of the Suchhu project was a historic moment for Bhutan’s hydropower sector and that every Bhutanese engaged in the construction of the project should be proud of their achievement.
With the Phase I projects almost completed, and with the experience and confidence gained, DGPC had already embarked on the construction of the Phase II projects; 54 MW Gamri, 90 MW Jomori, 26 MW Druk Bindu and the 25 MW Begana projects.
DGPC is also engaging with strategic partners and taking on much larger hydropower projects such as the 600 MW Khorlochhu and the 1,125 MW Dorjilung.
Many more projects are in the pipeline as Bhutan plans and work towards ensuring its energy security and for greater grid integration with India and the region.
The Prime Minister noted that this project is particularly significant as it is the first of the small hydropower projects envisioned by His Majesty The King during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said what makes it especially commendable is that theproject was entirely designed, developed, and managed by Bhutanese professionals – a clear testament to the growing capacity and talent within the country.
Such projects are expected to deliver meaningful benefits to local communities and serve as models for sustainable, community-oriented development across the country.
Dasho Chhewang Rinzin, Managing Director, DGPC stated that these small projects were also bringing about socio-economic development in these far-flung areas through economic activities and employment opportunities.
The Phase I projects had been a turning point in DGPC’s outlook to developing hydropower projects with the on-the-job capacity building of its human resources and strengthening of its subsidiary companies and centers of excellences.
The public of Sombaykha and Gakiling thanked His Majesty the King and the Government for the Suchhu project and acknowledged that they had greatly benefited from the commercial opportunities during the construction phase. They also look forward to a more reliable power supply to further foster the socio-economic development in their villages.
The 18 MW Suchhu project will generate over 75 MU annually. Connected to Damdum in Samtse, the summer surplus can be exported into the Indian Energy Exchange.
The public and local leaders of Sombaykha and Gakiling Gewogs, and senior officers from the Haa Dzongkhag administration, Ministry of Energy & Natural Resources, Druk Holding & Investments, Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC), and other organizations also attended the inauguration.
