The Punatsangchhu–II Hydroelectric Project (HEP), a flagship collaboration between Bhutan and India, has successfully synchronized Unit 6 (170 MW)—the final unit of the 1,020 MW project—with the national grid today. This milestone marks the full commissioning of all six units, further reinforcing Bhutan’s standing as a global leader in clean energy.
To commemorate this landmark achievement, a commissioning ceremony was held at the Powerhouse on 27 August 2025. The sixth unit was jointly inaugurated by Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay, Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bhutan, and H.E. Shri Sudhakar Dalela, Ambassador of India to Bhutan. The event was attended by Lyonpo Gem Tshering, Hon’ble Minister of Energy & Natural Resources, RGoB, along with a GoI delegation led by Shri Anurag Agarwal, Special Secretary & Financial Advisor, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The ceremony was further graced by Authority Members of PHPA-II from both the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) and the Government of India (GoI), senior officials from RGoB and GoI, representatives from the Embassy of India, as well as project management teams, consultants, and contractors.
The Punatsangchhu–II HEP stands as a testament to the enduring partnership between Bhutan and India in the hydropower sector. Previous successful collaborations include: Chukha HEP (336 MW), Kurichhu HEP (60 MW), Tala HEP (1020 MW) & Mangdechhu HEP (720 MW).
Together, these projects have propelled Bhutan’s installed hydropower capacity to about 3,500 MW, strengthening its role as a reliable and sustainable energy exporter. The Punatsangchhu–II HEP alone has already generated more than 2,160 million units of clean energy till date, further reinforcing Bhutan’s status as one of the few carbon-negative countries in the world.
This milestone not only celebrates engineering excellence and regional cooperation, particularly the exemplary hydropower partnership between Bhutan and India, but also underscores a shared commitment to sustainable development and climate resilience.
