In addition to hydropower, the country relies on diesel generators owned by Bhutan Power Corporation (BPC), contributing 8.93 MW to the overall capacity. Furthermore, the grid is connected to solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants with a capacity of 724 kWp and wind power plants with a capacity of 600 kW.
Chhukha Hydropower Plant: As Bhutan’s oldest mega power plant, the Chhukha Hydropower Plant was commissioned in 1986. It has a capacity of 336 MW, with four hydro-turbine units each generating 84 MW. The plant’s annual electricity generation exceeds 1,800 GWh, and a significant portion is exported to India.
The majority of this capacity is derived from hydropower plants, accounting for 2,334.1 MW, including 8.1 MW from other embedded-hydro sources. In addition to hydropower, the country relies on diesel generators owned by Bhutan Power Corporation (BPC), contributing 8.93 MW to the overall capacity.
During the year 2022, BPC serviced 232,465 customers, an increase of 4.7 percent from the previous year (BPC, 2023). The Building Sector in Bhutan consumed a total of 502.44 GWh of electricity in 2022, accounting for 14.5 percent of the country’s total electricity consumption (3,465.95 GWh).
Bhutan’s energy supply primarily relies on electricity, fuel-wood, coal, and diesel. Electricity is the largest contributor, with a shift towards increased usage over the years. Fuel-wood usage has decreased, while bio-gas, solar energy, and limited-scale wind energy have gained traction as alternative sources.
Tala Hydropower Plant: Situated downstream of the Chhukha Hydropower Plant, the Tala Hydropower Plant is the largest in Bhutan. It has a total capacity of 1,020 MW and commenced operations in 2006. All the electricity generated by the plant is exported to India through transmission lines.
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