Experts and businesses urge government to open more opportunities for Private Sector in the Hydropower development. A country whose vision is to generate 10,000 megawatt of electricity by 2020 has not seen any of the Bhutanese private sectors in the Hydropower development.
The sixth edition of Hydro Vision Conclave had one common concern when it comes to Hydropower Development –that is non-involvement of Bhutanese Private Sector. Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) said this is the right time for the government to start involving private sector, especially, when the country has a huge potential to construct many hydropower projects. The
President of BCCI, Ugen Tsechup Dorji said involving private sector would fast track in realizing this potential.
“We don’t have to start big; it can be small projects- 35MW, 40MWS, 50MW to 100MW can be given to the private sector. It can be done on the FDI model, smaller the project it can be done by a local contractor with expertise from outside.”
Ugen Tsechup Dorji said they can follow different model but the process should start now. “If we do not start now, then once we finish with 23,760 MW, we will still be looking back and saying where were the contractors/private sectors that could have actually gained the experience and knowledge from the huge potential that Bhutan has.”
The Founder of ENERTIA, Professor A.G Iyer- who is also the organizer of the event Hydro Vision Conclave, said the government and policymakers should now move away from the psychosis of regulation and controlling Hydropower development.
“We are now moving towards society of facilitation. Government’s role is as facilitation enabler rather than obstructive, regulating or a controlling medium.”
In the last four decades since the development of 336 Megawatt Chhukha Hydro Electric Project, most of the contracting works were and are given to the Indian Companies. It is also technically estimated that Bhutan has a potential to produce over 23,000 megawatt.
