During the Question and Answer session, the National Council members asked the economic affairs minister, Norbu Wangchuk what the government’s plans were, in achieving hydropower targets. They said going by the current rate of developing hydropower projects in the country, Bhutan would take 600 years to realise its full potential of tapping 30,000 megawatt.
The NC members also asked the minister the opportunities forgone in not being able to achieve the target and also on its position on why Sunkosh and Punatshangchhu III hydropower projects were deferred.
“Of the total installed capacity of 30,000 megawatt, around 24,000 megawatt is technically feasible,” said Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk.
Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk said not building hydropower projects will lead to an opportunity loss in terms of revenue forgone to the tune of Nu 700M every day. “Hydropower projects take a long time to build. Before actual construction starts, a project takes two years for pre-investigation, two to three years to prepare detailed project reports, and another two years for project structuring. Actual construction would take about seven to 10 years.”
