17 July 2025, Thimphu
1. Today, Unit 5 (170 MW) of the Punatsangchhu–II HEP (1020 MW) was successfully synchronized with the national power grid. This follows commissioning of Units 1 and 2 in December 2024, Unit 3 in March 2025 and Unit 4 in May 2025. The remaining Unit 6 is also getting ready to be commissioned soon.
2. A ceremony was held at the powerhouse to mark the milestone, in which Lyonpo Gem Tshering, Hon’ble Minister of Energy & Natural Resources; Shri Sudhakar Dalela, Ambassador of India to Bhutan; senior officials from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and the project management team among others were present.
3. India and Bhutan enjoy longstanding mutually beneficial cooperation in the hydropower sector. Both governments have partnered in the development of four major hydro-electric projects in Bhutan viz. Chukha HEP (336 MW), Kurichhu HEP (60 MW), Tala HEP (1020 MW) and Mangdechhu HEP (720 MW). Both sides now are working towards the full commissioning of the Punatsangchhu-II HEP (1020 MW) this year. Once completed, the project will increase Bhutan’s installed power generation capacity to 3,156 MW implemented through the assistance of the Government of India.
