India, Bhutan seek to deepen cooperation in power sector

New Delhi, Feb 3: India and Bhutan on Tuesday held discussions to further strengthen their longstanding partnership in the power sector, with a focus on hydropower cooperation and future transmission planning. Bhutan’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Lyonpo Gem Tshering, met Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal, along with Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy Shripad Naik, in New Delhi. The talks reviewed ongoing projects and explored ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the sector.

Indo-Bhutan hydropower collaboration dates back to 1961 and was further formalised through an agreement on hydroelectric power cooperation in 2006.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the commercial optimisation of power generation from the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project and stressed the importance of early commissioning of the 1,200 MW Punatsangchhu-I project. The future roadmap for the proposed Sankosh Hydropower Project was also taken up. The ministers also deliberated on long-term transmission infrastructure planning up to 2040, for which detailed consultations are underway. Issues related to streamlining approvals for power scheduling, especially during Bhutan’s lean generation months, were also discussed. Both sides reaffirmed the strong friendship between India and Bhutan and expressed confidence that cooperation in the power sector would continue to deepen in the years ahead.