Bhutan Mulling 300 MW Solar Power Addition

• The Bhutanese government has actually determined 7 sites where the solar farms will be established at a price of $300 million.
• Bhutan presently has a mere 9 MW of renewable energy apart from hydropower.

The Himalayan country of Bhutan is looking favorable for solar power as it prepares to expand its energy mix. Records cited the Economic Matters Minister of Bhutan, Lokhnath Sharma stating that Bhutan will certainly add 300 MW of solar power in the coming years. Bhutan currently has a mere 9 MW of renewable energy apart from hydropower. Naturally, the nation additionally has the luxury of being carbon favorable, thanks to a background of sustainable living as well as green atmosphere.

According to the Minister, the Bhutanese government has identified 7 sites where the solar farms will be established at an expense of $300 million and it anticipates financial aid from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). It was held that the federal government may also explore project finance alternatives with the World Bank as well as European Investment Bank (EIB).

Wangduephodrang area will host the initial project of over 17 MW. It's being funded by Asian Development Bank. The Bank has actually asked the Bhutanese federal government to identify 3 best sites for the solar panel setups.

According to the Bhutan Renewable Energy Master Plan, the landlocked Himalayan country can generate 12 GW of solar and 760 MW of wind power. At present the nation has a generating power ability of 2.33 GW, primarily from hydropower resources, and much of it is exported to India. There is an obstacle with the hydropower energy resources. The storage tank degrees fall in winters and also the gap in between supply as well as demand broadens quickly. In 2021, Bhutan's wintertime requirement was 450 MW yet power generation was just 400 MW.

Energy boost with proper diversification is also necessitated by the fact that Bhutan will certainly be witnessing the showing up of several power-intensive markets and the IT industry. This is expected to at least double the demand of energy. Solar is a sensible option for the Bhutanese government.

The vital factor pointed out for solar energy development is that it is currently competitive in implementation. Bhutan is mulling to complete the development of its very first large solar plant project in Sephu, Wangduephodrang, which is of 17 MW. In addition, the government is also carrying out a roof solar power installment program on 300 homes.