As the Wangchhu Hydroelectric Project moves closer to implementation, officials are engaging with residents in the areas where the project will be constructed. The project will span Darla and Bongo gewogs in Chhukha and Lhamoi Dzingkha gewog in Dagana. The 570-megawatt project, a flagship initiative under Bhutan’s Renewable Energy Development Roadmap 2040, is expected to strengthen national energy security while contributing to local development.
Officials from Druk Green Power Corporation Limited, along with representatives from relevant agencies, recently met residents of the three gewogs.
More than 200 people attended the consultation meeting. While many expressed their support for the project, some raised concerns related to land and property loss.
Residents said they are hopeful the project will bring infrastructure development, economic growth, and better opportunities for future generations.
Wangchuk Dorji from Bongo Gewog said, “The project will benefit people. It will greatly help rural-urban migration. Today, many of the youths in our villages have left for urban areas in search of better job opportunities. Our farm roads here will also get better, thereby improving road accessibility.”
Migmar from Darla Gewog said, “It has been many years since we were told that a project would come. Now it has finally come. The project will benefit future generations. If it is helpful for most, we don’t have issues with some affects.”
Rinchen Dorji, Darla Gup said, “There might be some issues because it’s a big project, and people are losing some of their land. When we look at the map, the project mainly falls in government land. When we are carrying out the project, we have to work to resolve it.”
Officials said the project is crucial for meeting Bhutan’s peak electricity demand during winter, when power generation drops significantly.
Officials also said that public consultation and consent are a priority before construction begins.
Dasho Chhewang Rinzin, Managing Director of Druk Green Power Corporation Limited said, “After consulting the people and obtaining their approval, we plan to start the work within the next few months. With several such projects coming up, we are confident of achieving our target of producing 15,000 megawatts of hydropower within the next 15 years.”
An initial detailed project report prepared in 1995 proposed a 900-megawatt project, which was later revised in 2014 to 570-megawatt.
In September last year, Druk Green Power Corporation Limited and Adani Power signed key agreements in New Delhi to jointly develop the project.
With the detailed project report already completed, construction is expected to begin soon and is projected to take over five years to complete with an estimated cost of around Nu 60bn.
The dam will be constructed in Gamanang village of Darla Gewog. The project involves more than 750 acres of government land, more than 60 acres of private land, nearly 18 acres of orchard and nearly 10 decimals of institutional land.
The affected individuals can either opt for substitute land or compensation as per Land Act.
Once completed, the Wangchhu Hydroelectric Project is expected to play a key role in strengthening Bhutan’s energy security and supporting the country’s long-term renewable energy goals.
Kinley Dem
