The energy and natural resources minister has confirmed that the Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project or PHPA-I will proceed with the construction of a dam, ending a prolonged debate over whether to build a dam or a barrage. The minister said this during a discussion on public debt in the hydropower sector with the BBS yesterday.
The construction of the 1,200 megawatt PHPA-I began in November 2008 with an initial completion date of 2016.
According to a project official, the construction of the dam has been on halt since 2019 because of geological issues. However, other construction work at the project site continued.
Minister for energy and natural resources Gem Tshering said the project will now go ahead with the construction of a dam.
“If we choose a barrage, we can only regulate the flow of the Punatsangchhu, but we won’t be able to store the water. A dam has been seen as more feasible because it allows us to store water, and in case there are problems with the 1-2 units, then the dam can still hold back the water.”
The minister said that the government and the Government of India have agreed to further stabilise the landslide-prone area on the right bank of the dam site, which is a major geological concern.
“Frequent landslides occurred at the right side of the dam. During investigations, it was found that the cliff located above was not solid. Therefore, both parties have decided to stabilise the area further.”
Meanwhile, major components of the dam’s infrastructure, including desilting chambers, headrace tunnel, and intake structure are all complete.
According to the PHPA-I official, completing the dam will take at least four more years.
The energy and natural resources minister said that the overall project is estimated to cost over Nu 100bn.
Kinzang Lhadon
Edited by Tshering Zam
