New Delhi: Finally, some good news from the neighbourhood! The first two turbines of the India-funded 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II hydroelectric project in Bhutan have started operating.
According to a report on the Kuensel news website on Friday, the first two of the six turbines started operating on Thursday. In what is a happy coincidence, this happened on the day India was celebrating its Independence Day.
"This signals the commissioning of one of the most eagerly anticipated mega hydropower projects in the country," the Kuensel report stated. "The next phase will involve integrating these turbines with the electrical and communication systems, leading to full-scale energy production."
Attending the ceremony, Bhutan’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Gyem Tshering, described the event as "a landmark moment that marks the beginning of a new chapter in the shared journey of Bhutan and India towards completing this project".
"This achievement is a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished through cooperation and shared vision," the report quoted Tshering as saying. "It stands as a testament to our commitment to sustainable development, energy security, and the enduring friendship between our nations."
The Punatsangchhu II is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric power generating facility in the Wangdue Phodrang district of Bhutan. The project is being developed by the Punatsangchhu II Hydroelectric Project Authority (PHPA II) under an inter-government agreement between the Government of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan.
According to the PHPA-II website, the project was sanctioned at a cost of Rs 37,778 million (base cost excluding interest during construction and March 2009 price level) with an installed capacity of 990 MW (later revised to 1,020 MW). It is completely funded by the Government of India - 30 per cent in the form of a grant and 70 per cent as a loan component at 10 per cent annual interest.
India’s Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS) provided engineering and design consultancy services during the project study phase, while the National Institute of Rock Mechanics (NIRM) was engaged for modelling and geotechnical engineering services.
Construction of the project started in December 2010 with an ambitious completion schedule of seven years, including two years of infrastructure development. However, that deadline could not be met and a second deadline of end of 2022 was set. However, the second deadline too was missed and the final deadline for commissioning of the project has now been set for October 2024. The delays in meeting the deadlines were caused by a variety of reasons, including geographical challenges, flash floods, the COVID-19 pandemic and the finding of a significant shear zone at the dam foundation.
The Kuensel report cited the Chief Engineer of the Department of Energy, Ugyen, as describing the event as "historic" since a Francis turbine for a mega project is being used for the first time in the country. All other hydropower plants currently in operation in the Himalayan kingdom use Pelton turbines.
The project is located on the right bank of the Punatsangchhu River along the Wangdue-Tsirang highway between 20 km and 35 km downstream of Wangdue Bridge. The dam site is about 94 km from Thimphu along the highway. Paro, the nearest airport is about 125 km away. The nearest railway station is at Hasimara on the Siliguri-Alipurduar Broad Gauge line of India’s Northeast Frontier Railway. The project area is also accessible from Bagdogra Airport near Siliguri in West Bengal and via Phuentsholing-Semtokha (near Thimphu)–Dochula (about 440 km). The project area can also be approached from the proposed Gelephu smart city near the south-central border of Bhutan.