After missing a number of deadlines, the first unit of the 126 Megawatt Dagachhu Hydroelectric Project (DHP) was commissioned yesterday. The first unit has a maximum capacity of generating 63 megawatt of hydropower during the peak season.
The commercial operation date officially started this morning coinciding with the 35th birth anniversary of His Majesty the King.
As of today, the power plant has been able to generate about 14 megawatt, as water flow dips during the winter months. Officials from Dagachhu hydropower project said the river discharge today is at its lowest.
Meanwhile, the commissioning test of the second unit is also expected to start immediately within a months time.
The Dagachhu project is the first hydropower project to be managed by a Bhutanese team with a review consultant from Austria. The Dagachhu hydroelectric project is also the first cross-border clean development mechanism project.
Once both the units are commissioned, the plant is expected to earn about a billion Ruppes every year.
