Hydropower export revenue dropped by over Nu 1.5bn in the first four months of the year compared to the same period last year. According to the Royal Monetary Authority’s monthly statistical bulletin for May, Bhutan exported over two billion ngultrum’s worth of electricity from January to April last year, while the number dropped to about Nu 400 M this year. The Druk Green Power Corporation attributes the drop in revenue to the country receiving less snowfall and decreased river flow.
The six hydropower plants in the country produced almost one and a half billion units of electricity in the first four months of last year. The production dropped by over 100 million units this year.
This was despite the temporary shutdown of the Tala Hydropower Plant from January to the mid of March last year for maintenance.
Data maintained by the National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology show river flow across the country significantly dropped in the winter months of this year compared to last year.
Mangdechhu and Dagachhu hydropower plants exported electricity worth a combined total of almost Nu 400 M between January to April this year. Exports from the two plants contributed to the majority of the country’s total exports over the period.
On the other hand, domestic sales of electricity increased by almost Nu 700 M during the same period.
According to the DGPC, the country intends to initiate the development of at least a few water reservoir projects to store water during the monsoon and release the water during the winter months.
The managing director of the DGPC also said that the country’s energy sector is considering investing in solar generation that could supplement power requirements during the winter months.
Kinzang Lhadon
Edited by Sherub Dorji
