Residents of Tading Gewog in Samtse are enduring frequent and prolonged power outages, lasting often for days. The issue worsens during summer months when temperatures reach as high as 40°C, disrupting their daily lives.
In the village of Namgyel Tabab, 52-year-old Tshezang Doya, like many others, struggles to cope with the scorching heat without electricity.
He spends most of his time outside for some cool breeze, using a book cover as a fan.
“The power goes off one to three times a day and night. Sometimes it is restored in a few days, but other times it takes up to a week. We face numerous problems because of this.”
Tshezang’s household, like many others in the village, often cooks using firewood due to the unreliable power supply.
This problem isn’t confined to one village but affects households across Tading Gewog.
“It’s very difficult to help our children with their studies when the power goes off once or twice a day. They find it hard to concentrate in the heat,” said Pushpa Dolma Tamang, a resident of Boogkha.
“The power supply here is erratic. It can be on for a few minutes and then it goes off again. At times, we are left without charged phones, and we even have to resort to gas cylinders for cooking,” said Yoezer Thinley Tobden, a resident of Panbari.
These concerns were recently raised during the Dzongkhag Tshogdu, where Tading Gup Yam Bdr Ghalley highlighted the impacts of the erratic power supply.
“The newly installed air conditioning units now blow hot air like a heater. We urge for a tapping point or power service station to be built closer to the gewog to resolve the issue,” said Yam Bdr Ghalley, Tading Gup.
In response, the Bhutan Power Corporation Limited Manager in Samtse said plans are being drawn to supply power from Dorokha to Sengdhyen and to build a 33/11 kV substation in Thunuwa, within Tading Gewog.
“We have plans to construct a substation in Thunuwa, bringing in power supply from Dorokha to Sengdhyen and Thunuwa. While we aim to complete the substation by 2026, we are still awaiting the necessary approvals to proceed,” said Vesraj Bhujel, a chief divisional manager at BPCL.
Moreover, he added, once complete, the ongoing construction of the 18 MW Suchhu Hydropower Project in Haa, would also help address the problem.
The members of the Samtse Dzongkhag Tshogdu agreed to formally address the issue by writing to the Bhutan Power Corporation Limited head office.
Tading Gewog, with over 7,000 residents and 1,130 households, currently sources its power from Phuentshogling, Samtse, and Dorokha.
Passang Dorji, Samtse
Edited by Phub Gyem
