Situated in the eastern Himalayas, Bhutan is a small landlocked country in South Asia. Its economy is mostly dependent on hydropower, and it is governed by a constitutional monarchy. In order to supply its small population with energy, Bhutan has resorted to sustainable energy sources such as hydropower. This page will include a list of all the power plants in Bhutan along with a synopsis of each. It will offer details on the location of the facility, the power source, and the total installed capacity of each plant. The article will also shed light on the different difficulties Bhutan faces in providing its people with cheap and dependable energy. Lastly, it will include a quick rundown of the country’s expanding energy needs as well as future plans for new power source development.
The list of all Bhutanese nuclear, hydro, solar, wind, oil, and gas power stations is provided below.
List of all Power Plants in Bhutan in table format
We have compiled a list of all the power plants in Bhutan in the following table for the convenience of our readers:
| Powerplant Name | PowerPlant Capacity(MW) | Power Plant Location via to Latitude and Longitude | Fuel Type- Primary | Estimated Power Generation(GWH) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chhukha Hydroelectric Power Plant Bhutan | 336 | 27.1104, 89.5313 | Hydro | 1065.84 |
| Kurichhu Hydro-electric Power Station Bhutan | 60 | 27.2162, 91.2035 | Hydro | 246.88 |
| Rangjung Small Hydroelectric Power Plant Bhutan | 2.2 | 27.3567, 91.6497 | Hydro | 7.5 |
| Tala Hydroelectric Power Plant Bhutan | 1020 | 27.036, 89.5953 | Hydro | 3441.75 |
Information Provider: GEODB
Best Power Plants in Bhutan in 2023
Below is information on the top power plant in Bhutan:
Powerplant Basochhu Hydroelectric Power Plant Bhutan Reviews
Bhutan is home to the Basochhu Hydroelectric Power Plant, which is run by Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC). The power plant was put into service in July 2013 and has an installed capacity of 64 MW. The facility uses hydroelectricity, a renewable energy source, and is situated at 27.4254 N 89.9043 E.
With a projected yearly production capacity of 247.15 GWh, the Basochhu Power Plant contributes to Bhutan’s goal of obtaining all of its energy from renewable sources. The power plant is a component of Bhutan’s 10th Five-Year Plan, which attempts to lower emissions from burning fossil fuels and lessen the nation’s reliance on imported energy. The plant is a component of the Bhutanese government’s broader green energy strategy, which aims to lessen the nation’s reliance on non-renewable energy sources and serve as a template for other nations to follow.
Powerplant Chhukha Hydroelectric Power Plant Bhutan Reviews
On the banks of the Paro Chu river, in the southwest of Bhutan, sits the Chhukha Hydroelectric Power Plant. With a 336 MW capacity, it serves as the majority of the nation’s power supply and is the main source of electricity in the nation. Its exact coordinates are 27.1104 latitude and 89.5313 longitude. The power plant is situated downstream of Damchu, a few kilometers.
The Chhukha Hydroelectric Power Plant was put into service in 1985 and uses hydroelectricity as its main fuel. The power station is anticipated to produce 1065.84 MW of electricity annually on average. Bhutan’s biggest hydroelectricity producer is Chhukha. The facility runs four Francis turbines, which are all of the same type. Because of its construction and capacity to take advantage of the Paro Chu river’s rapid flow, it is the most economical and effective choice.
Powerplant Kurichhu Hydro-electric Power Station Bhutan Reviews
Kurichhu Hydroelectric Power Station, with a 60 MW capacity, is one of the biggest hydroelectric facilities in Bhutan. The hydroelectric power station, which is situated in the eastern region of the nation at latitude 27.2162 and longitude 91.2035 along the eastern bank of the Kurichhu River, began operating on 246.88. It is made out of a 180-meter-long and 95-meter-high dam, into which water is released to power two turbines.
The Kurichhu Hydroelectric Power Station uses water as its main fuel, which is released from the dam to power two turbines. Bhutan Power Corporation then uses 132KV transmission lines to transfer the generated power. It is then dispersed throughout the nation after arriving at the power plant. Millions of people in Bhutan receive electricity from the power plant, which also acts as their main supply of energy.
Powerplant Rangjung Small Hydroelectric Power Plant Bhutan Reviews
The Rangjung Small Hydroelectric Power Plant is situated in Bhutan, namely at latitude 27.3567 and longitude 91.6497. It is a hydroelectric power plant that runs mostly on hydropower. The plant was put into service in 7.5 and has a 2.2 megawatt capacity.
Throughout the year, the Power Plant generates an estimated 32 million kWh of electricity using its two turbines. It is anticipated to improve access to sustainable energy by providing hundreds of rural settlements in the area with the electricity they require. The Rangjung Small Hydroelectric Power Plant, which supplies economical and effective electricity to rural areas, is an illustration of the Bhutanese government’s commitment to sustainable energy sources.
Powerplant Tala Hydroelectric Power Plant Bhutan Reviews
Situated at 27.036 degrees North and 89.5953 degrees East, the 1020 MW Tala Hydroelectric Power Plant in Bhutan. It was finished in 2006 and produces 3441.75 GWh of power annually. Two dams along the Tala River capture flowing water, which serves as the primary fuel for this hydroelectric power.
The actual power plant consists of eight stages, each of which produces 120 megawatts of electricity. Because of the tailrace tunnel’s length, the resulting installed capacity of 960 MW does not surpass 990 MW in generation. The hydroelectric power plant’s reservoir has a total area of 405 square kilometers and is situated at an elevation of 2,750 meters above sea level.
FAQ
Q1. What type of power plants does Bhutan have?
A variety of power plant types, such as hydro, diesel, solar, and wind facilities, are present in Bhutan. Nearly 90% of Bhutan’s electricity is produced by hydropower, which continues to be the country’s primary energy source.
Q2. What is the current power generating capacity of Bhutan’s power plants?
A. Bhutan can currently generate 1,950 megawatts (MW) of electricity. Hydropower, primarily from its rivers, like the Drangme and Mangde Chhu, powers this. By 2020, Bhutan wants to raise the installed capacity to 6,000MW.
Q3. What is being done to improve the efficiency of power plants in Bhutan?
A. The Bhutanese government has launched a number of programs to increase power plant efficiency, including energy audits, raising public awareness, offering training and capacity building, and adopting renewable energy systems. In order to increase the efficiency of the current power plants, they are also investing in their modernization and updating.
Q4. Is Bhutan self-sufficient in terms of power generation?
A. Bhutan does not currently generate enough electricity to power itself, and during periods of high demand, it frequently needs to buy electricity from India. Nonetheless, the Bhutanese government has set a goal of becoming self-sufficient by 2020 and is actively working toward this end.
Q5. What environmental initiatives are being taken to reduce the emissions of Bhutan’s power plants?
A number of steps have been put in place by the Bhutanese government to lower emissions from power plants. These include the utilization of clean energy sources like wind and hydropower, the imposition of strict emission regulations, and the provision of financial incentives to encourage the installation of renewable energy systems. Bhutan is also attempting to lessen the likelihood and severity of natural disasters in order to avoid disruptions to power plants.
I sincerely hope you find the information about all power plants in Bhutan provided above interesting. If you do, please leave a comment.
Cory Combs is the Lead Writer and a key contributor at PowerPlantForum.com, a top resource for energy professionals and enthusiasts. With over a decade of experience in power plant operations and a degree in Electrical Engineering, Cory is a recognized authority in the field. His expertise in optimizing energy systems is informed by extensive hands-on experience and research. Follow Cory for the latest updates and expert insights on Instagram.