Bhutan diversifies energy with growing solar power
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In Bhutan, a country historically powered by hydroelectricity, engineers are increasingly turning to solar energy to meet rising demand and prepare for climate change.
Bhutan has long generated more than it consumes using its waterways, but winter months and dwindling glacial supplies require importing electricity from India. Norion Renewable Energy recently completed the Dechencholing solar farm, a 4.45-megawatt project on former military land, and the country’s first large-scale solar project, Sephu, has over 22 megawatts of capacity.
Druk Green Power Corporation, Bhutan’s generation utility, plans to develop approximately 5,000 megawatts of solar power, aiming for 25,000 megawatts total by 2040, with solar making up a fifth of that. Current hydroelectric production around 3,700 megawatts drops to 80% during winter, while demand has risen from 400 to 1,500 megawatts, creating a shortfall. Challenges to expansion include limited space due to mountainous terrain and high installation costs that make rooftop solar inaccessible to most citizens.
To address these issues, Bhutan is liberalizing foreign investment rules, training a workforce through the De-suung royal skilling initiative, and exploring rooftop installations as well as large-scale solar farms. The country anticipates climate change will continue to impact its glaciers and hydropower resources, making diversification essential.
