The Planning Commission has
asked power ministry and the
external affairs ministry to
furnish their comments on the issue of
participation of private companies
from India in development of
hydropower projects in Bhutan. The
move came after Tata Power and NCC
Infrastructure Holdings Ltd
(NCCIHL) expressed their interest in
setting up power projects in the
neighbouring country.
Tata Power, in its communication to
the Planning Commission, had
expressed its interest in investing in
hydropower development in Bhutan,
in April this year. Tata Power had
mentioned that the company has
already discussed the matter with the
Bhutan government and they are keen
to let Tata Power, in addition to the
Central sector utilities of India,
undertake co-development in Bhutan.
In view of this, Tata Power requested
Planning Commission to make
recommendations to the ministries
concerned to explore such possibilities
and come out with a policy
framework that permits private
players to undertake large capacity
hydropower projects in Bhutan and
for importing power into the Indian
grid. As per the current policy, such
developmental support is routed
through only NHPC and other Central
sector utilities that have been
mandated by the Indian government
for the said cause.
Meanwhile, NCCIHL has also
expressed its interest in developing a
1,000-mw hydropower in Bhutan and
sign MoU with the Bhutan government
for its implementation. The company
backed its demand with its experience
in developing hydropower projects and
also implementing engineering,
procure-ment and construction
packages for several other projects.
So far, the ministries have been
focused on expeditious construction of
the three ongoing hydroelectric
projects and early commencement of
other seven identified projects to
achieve the target of 10,000 mw
generation by 2020 under bilateral
cooperation involving the two
governments (see table). Hence, the
possibility of private sector
participation in hydropower
development in Bhutan has not yet
been examined. However, following
the recent representations from Tata
Power and NCCIHL, the Centre has
been pushed to take up the issue at the
inter-ministerial level.
Untitled Document
INDO-BHUTAN HYDROPOWER |
| Project |
MW |
Completed |
| Chukha (1988) |
336 |
| Kurichhu (2002) |
60 |
| Tala (2007) |
1,020 |
Under Construction |
| Punatsangchhu-I |
1,200 |
| Punatsangchhu-II |
990 |
| Mangdechhu |
720 |
Planning |
| Sankosh |
4,060 |
| Kuri-Gongri |
1,800 |
| Amochu |
620 |
| Bunakha |
180 |
| Chamkharchu-I |
720 |
| Wangchhu |
900 |