India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi also laid the foundation stone for the 600 MW Kholongchhu Hydroelectric Project at the courtyard of the Gyalyong Tshogkhang, today.
Kholongchhu Hydroelectric Project is the second major Hydropower Project in the East after Kurichhu.
It is the first of the four joint-venture projects between the government of Bhutan and India.
The project is estimated to be constructed at a cost of Nu.32 BN.
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Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay said hydropower ties between Bhutan and India dates back to 1974, with the commissioning of 336 MW Chhukha Hydropower Project. He said after its construction in 1988, Bhutan’s economy changed as the country was able to finance its current expenditure from the sale of power to India.
Today’s launch, Lyonchhen said, takes Bhutan and India closer to the shared goals of harnessing 10,000 MW of Hydropower by 2020.
The other three joint venture projects include the 2,560 MW Sunkosh Project, 540 MW Amochhu Project and the 2,640 MW Kuri-Gongri Hydropower Projects.