Following the soft launch of the National Hydrogen Roadmap at CoP28 in December last year in Dubai, the final version was officially launched on July 24, 2024, in the capital. This comprehensive roadmap outlines our strategic vision for integrating hydrogen into Bhutan’s energy landscape.
Developed by the Department of Energy in collaboration with the United States Energy Association and a consultant consortium of Tetra Tech and Roland Berger, the roadmap received generous support from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Energy Resources under the Clean EDGE Asia Program.
The roadmap identifies key opportunities across production, storage, distribution, and end-use applications. It sets national milestones and targets to ensure a sustainable and resilient energy future. The levelized cost of hydrogen is projected to be $2.6 to $4.3 per kg in the short term, with expectations to decrease to $2.2 to $3.1 per kg due to advancements in electrolyzer technology and economies of scale. Domestic consumption of hydrogen is anticipated to grow from 710 tons per annum to approximately 70,000 tons per annum by 2050, primarily driven by the transportation and industrial sectors.
Bhutan’s strategic location in South Asia provides proximity to large and expanding markets for hydrogen. Exporting green hydrogen will not only help reduce global carbon emissions but also present an opportunity to improve Bhutan’s trade balance and strengthen its economy.
Currently, we are working on investment plans, outreach strategies, and resource mapping, which will soon be completed to further support the implementation of our roadmap.