3. BHUTAN
The Kingdom of Bhutan – a small landlocked country with the population of 716,896
located to the eastern side of the Himalayas at 27º28.0’N and 89º38.5’E in South Asia
It borders China (to the north) and India (to the east, west and south)
primary exports are
electricity (to India),
cardamom, gypsum, timber,
handicrafts, cement, fruit,
precious stones, and spices
Bhutan began modernizing in the 1950s
has developed ten consecutive
five- year plans starting in 1961
to coordinate development efforts
4. Cont.
Previously, there were no paved roads, most homes were built from mud and
grass, literacy was low
The country has made significant progress in extending access to
safe drinking water and sanitation,
protecting and managing the country’s natural resources,
providing basic health care and
increasing access to primary education
The previous king, who came to the throne in 1974, invested the country’s
meager finances in an airport, an east-west road, bridges, national education,
health care, and select energy-producing technologies like hydropower, which
provides almost all the country’s electricity
Bhutan’s economy is one of the world's smallest and least developed and is
based on agriculture, forestry, and hydroelectricity
5. Cont.
Despite this constraint, hydroelectricity and construction continue to be the two
major industries of growth for the country
Bhutan Government has undertaken a number of measures to ensure a diverse
economy and prosperity for the rural dwellers in remote areas
One such measure is the Rural Electrification (RE) program which aims at
achieving 100% rural electrification by end of 2013
In 2010 Bhutan was ranked by the Transparency International Corruption
Perception as the least corrupt country in South Asia (The World Bank Group
(WBG), 2010)
6. Cont.
With its abundant hydro resources Bhutan has a total techno-economically
exploitable capacity of 23,760 MW
There are four major rivers Bhutan:
the Torsa which the shortest,
Sunkosh –longest,
Wangchu, and
Manas
7. Brief of Bhutan Economy
Statistics
GDP : $ 5.036 billion (2012 est.)
GDP Growth : 9.7 % (2012 est.)
GDP per capita : $ 6,800 (2012 est.)
GDP by sector : agriculture – 23 %, industry – 37.9 %, services – 39.8 % (2009)
Population below : 31.7 % (2003)
Poverty line
Labor force : agriculture – 63 %, industry – 6 %, services – 31 % (2004 est.)
by occupation
Unemployment : 2.5 % (2004)
Exports Goods : Electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement
fruit, precious stone, spices
Main Exports : India – 58.6 %, Hong Kong – 30.1 %, Bangladesh – 7.3 %
Partners
8. Objective And Scope
Objective is to examine
electricity sector in the Kingdom of Bhutan,
analyze the historical evolution of electricity demand and supply,
export and import,
the energy load profiles of high-voltage and medium-voltage industries
Scopes
review previous energy studies in Bhutan and understand the current developments in the
energy sector and hydropower;
analyze the annual and quarterly reports of the National Load Dispatch Center of the Bhutan
Power Corporation, as well as the industry load profiles for the period 2010-2012;
determine from the published literature the implications of energy efficiency and demand
side management on industrial peak load and consumption; and
provide recommendations on the implementation of renewable energy and/or energy
efficiency projects to address the problem of seasonal energy shortages and to sustain
energy sales during winter
9. Sector Development Context
The main development challenges faced by Bhutan’s power sector in the
mid-1990s were identified as
the institutional weakness of the sector,
its inability to assume the role of key growth driver in promoting the country’s economic
development through power exports
providing access to electricity for rural consumers
The sector also suffered from poor cost recovery and dependence on donor
financing for new investments
Institutional reforms undertaken during 1999–2002, with the assistance of
the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other development partners,
addressed some of these challenges
10. The newly established power sector entities in 2002 faced the challenge of
transforming Bhutan’s power sector from a state department dependent to financially
sustainable utilities
mobilizing investments for expanding access to rural communities,
mobilizing financing for export-oriented hydropower projects, and
improving cost recovery through tariff adjustments
By 2009, power sector entities in Bhutan had achieved an adequate level of
institutional maturity with the exception of the power sector regulatory agencies :
Bhutan Electricity Authority (BEA)
Bhutan Power Corporation (BPC)
• responsible for domestic power supply
Druk Green Power Company (DGPC)
• responsible for operating the export – oriented hydropower projects
power sector has contributed to over 40% of the fiscal revenues in 2009
domestic power supply continues to receive an implicit subsidy from power exports
11. Government Policy Response
The government’s development strategy during 1994–2009 recognized that
development of country’s hydropower plant will enhance the central role of the
power sector in promoting
Fiscal revenues from power exports
economic development and poverty alleviation by exploiting the abundant hydropower potential
for Increasing the government’s fiscal revenues from power exports
balanced regional growth with the electrification of rural communities, and
industrial investments based on cheap and reliable supply of electricity
12. The government followed a consistent policy framework during Five Year Plan
(1994–2009) to achieve these strategic objectives by :
• establishing a transparent governance framework for the sector by separating the policy
making, sector regulation, and utility operation functions;
• increasing the commercial orientation and operational efficiency of the utility function of the
power sector for expanding the power transmission and distribution network to facilitate the
evacuation of power from export-oriented hydropower plants (HPPs) and to increase access
to electricity for people in rural areas;
• improving the financial performance and cost recovery of the sector through tariff
adjustments while maintaining the government’s objective of providing affordable electricity
to low-income households; and
• establishing a competent agency to consolidate government ownership in export-oriented
hydropower projects and to act as a strategic partner in developing new export-oriented
HPPs.
13. Government’s Five Year Plan
Government's 7th Five Year Plan focused on
scaling up the rural electrification program to electrify 5,500 households,
completing the master plan for hydropower development and the feasibility
study for Tala HPP project,
initiating the construction of two medium hydropower projects (Basochhu
HPP and Kurichhu HPP), and
strengthening power transmission to Thimphu and load centers in southern
Bhutan
14. Government's 8th Five Year Plan focused on
prioritized construction of the Basochhu HPP and Kurichhu HPPs,
commencing construction of Tala HPP, and providing 10,000 households with access to
electricity
preparation of detailed feasibility studies for other large hydropower projects
the construction of other mini hydropower projects for domestic supply
the government also decided to decentralize the implementation and operation of power
distribution to district units
15. Government's 9th Five Year Plan focused on
rural electrification (100% by 2020)
economic self-reliance through hydropower exports
The following strategy was adopted to meet these objectives:
strengthening the institutional capacity of the sector following the provisions of the
Electricity Act by empowering BEA as the regulatory body
transparent tariff setting for domestic and export power sales based on economic
considerations—this involves establishing a multiyear tariff setting formula to provide an
adequate rate of return on investments to power sector entities
prioritizing rural electrification as a means of equitably distributing the benefits of Bhutan’s
hydropower resources—the 9th plan targeted 15,000 connections compared to 10,000
connections provided under the 8th plan
formulating policy guidelines to encourage private sector participation in the hydropower
sector as well as community participation in the implementation of rural electrification
preparing an energy and water resource master plan for developing the hydropower sector
in a sustainable manner
establishing an interconnected transmission grid by integrating the western and eastern grid,
and extending the power transmission grid to remote parts of the country
installing a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system
16. Government's 10th Five Year Plan focused on
100% electrification by 2013
developing 10,000 MW of hydropower generation capacity with the assistance of the
Government of India
The 10th plan identified critical challenges associated with achieving these
targets:
addressing the environmental impacts associated with hydropower development
the high up-front investment cost of hydropower and the difficulty of mobilizing the
requisite financial requirements;
developing access and transport infrastructure to hydropower sites;
high dependence of Bhutan’s economy on the hydropower sector (by 2020, the hydropower
sector is expected to contribute 50% of GDP and over 75% of fiscal revenues); and
financial constraints faced by the rural electrification program and the continued availability
of subsidies in the form of avoided power exports, which command a higher price than the
price charged for rural consumers
17. Objective And Goals
Bhutan is the only country in South Asia with surplus power generation capacity
power sector contributes a significant share to its national economy in 2009
40% of government revenues,
45% of export earnings, and
25% of gross domestic product (GDP)
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been a major development partner in
Bhutan’s power sector
ADB played a catalytic role in structuring and financing Bhutan’s first public–private
partnership (PPP) transaction in the export-oriented hydropower sector
Bhutan has committed to an ambitious agenda of developing over 10,000
megawatts (MW) of hydropower capacity by 2020 with assistance from the
Government of India, and achieving 100% electrification by 2013
18. Institutional Context
Electricity supply in Bhutan in the 1990s (including the operation of mini HPPs
and diesel power plants) was the responsibility of the DOP, which was part of the
Ministry of Trade and Investment
A major turning point in the overall development of the power sector was the
commissioning of the 336 megawatt (MW) Chhukha Hydro Power Plant together
with transmission links to connect the power station to both Bhutan’s domestic
network and the Indian grid in 1988
The project was implemented as a joint venture between the Government of
India and the Government of Bhutan, and then incorporated in July 1991 under
the Companies Act, 1989 as Chhukha Hydro Power Company (CHPC), a
government-owned company
24. Hydropower and Economic Growth
There are five major hydroelectric facilities in Bhutan, and
several small and mini hydroelectric generators that serve remotely located
households and communities, both off- and on-grid
Since 2003 hydropower development has been contributing to a significant growth
of the Kingdom’s GDP
over the period from 2003 to 2012
years the average annual GDP
growth rate (AAGR) is approx. 14.5 %
In 2011, hydropower sales accounted
for the largest share of the country’s
GDP
25. With higher levels of income people are more willing to improve their living
conditions
This in turn will lead to increased energy demand, particularly of medium and
high voltage industries
26. In 2005, nearly two thirds of the households in Bhutan did not have access to
electricity
In 2012 the rural electrical connectivity ratio reached 89% (Bhutan Power
Corporation (BPC) Limited, 2012)
27. Supply And Demand
Five major hydropower plants that supply hydropower for export (India) after
meeting the domestic electricity demand
total generation capacity as of the year 2012 is 1,480 MW
28. In 2004, the largest electricity consumption by HV industries which accounted for
56 per cent of total sales. The second largest electricity consumption belonged to
LV customers including residential, institutional, agriculture and auxiliary building
Significant increase in HV industries sales between 2004 and 2012 and still
remains the largest electricity consumer
In year 2012, MV and HV industries together accounted for 79% out of total
hydro electricity consumed in Bhutan
29. Climate Change & Hydropower
Currently, hydropower accounts for nearly 16% of the world’s total power supply
World’s most dominant (86%) source of renewable electrical energy (2012)
Asia alone possesses a technically feasible potential of 6,800 TWh/y
Total capacity potential of 1,928,286 MW (2012)
A feasible potential for global hydropower is 2 to 3 times higher than the current
generation
However, there is an uncertainty brought by global climate change which poses
some risk for the hydropower generation sector
Climatic changes are causing changes in runoff and increasing retreat/melting of
glaciers
The Himalayan region is in a very active seismic zone, thus it is possible that
earthquakes may trigger outburst of glacial lakes
30. Bhutan has been experiencing reduced and volatile hydropower generation from
run-of-the-river facilities due to changed monsoon patterns and the consequent
low river flows
hydroelectric energy is readily available during the months of monsoon rains,
and is less available during non-monsoon months
today the seasonal power shortages constrain the supply to meet the industrial
electricity needs
31. Projects to be Commissioned, 2010 - 2020
After the commissioning of Tala HPP in 2006, with the assistance of ADB, the
government prepared the sustainable hydropower policy to attract private
investments to export-oriented hydropower projects
The projects to be commissioned are :
The 114 MW Dagachhu HPP was structured as a public–private partnership (PPP) is expected
to be commissioned in 2014
The government has also entered into a memorandum of understanding with the
Government of India to develop 10,000 MW of hydropower capacity consisting of 11 mega-
projects
1,200 MW Punatsangchhu-I HPP under the 10,000 MW program is under construction with
Government of India financing, and it is expected to be commissioned in 2016;
the 990 MW Punatsangchhu-II HPP and the 720 MW Mangdechhu HPP) are expected to
begin construction in 2011 with Government of India financing and be commissioned in 2019
32. Details of the HPPs under construction and at an advanced stage of preparation
are summarized in Table A1.3.
34. Macroeconomic Impacts of Export –
Oriented Hydropower Development
Power exports, which accounted for about 21% of total exports in 1996, grew in
value in 1997 as India agreed to lift the power purchase price in steps from an
average Nu0.5 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in 1996 to Nu1.5/kWh in 1999
Current export price averages Nu1.9/kWh
The commissioning of Tala hydropower plant (HPP) for 1,020 megawatts (MW) in
2007 had a major impact on both gross domestic product (GDP) and exports, with
exports rising to over Nu10 billion
Power exports contributed a significant share to the overall GDP in 2009 as well
as the government’s fiscal revenues
The export-oriented power generation plants provided an implicit subsidy
amounting to Nu1,958 million to the domestic power supply in 2009
36. The Financial Performance Of Export – Oriented Power Sector
37. Bhutan Energy Sector Institutions and
Current Energy Policies
Department of Energy (DOE): The DOE is responsible for
policy formulation,
planning, and
coordination of activities for the energy sector
overall responsibility for implementing the government’s ambitious rural electrification
program and
developing the new export-oriented HPPs
Bhutan Electricity Authority (BEA), a regulatory body under the DOE:
Acts as an entrusted body for the economic
and technical regulation of power sector entities, including tariff setting and licensing
38. Druk Green Power Corporation
harnessing and sustaining Bhutan’s renewable energy resources
It controls the four major hydropower projects including Chukha HPP, Basochhu HPP, Kurichhu HPP,
and Tala HPP
Bhutan Power Corporation Limited (BPC) :established as a public utility on 1 July 2002
mandate of distributing electricity throughout the country and
also providing transmission access for generating stations for domestic supply as well as export
The Renewable Energy Division (RED) under DOE
implementation of alternative renewable energy development projects,
construction of MV and LV lines and substations
current mandate of the RED is expansion of the distribution infrastructure to achieve the Royal
Government’s goal of 'Electricity for All by the year 2013'
39. Smart Grid and DSM
Smart Grid is based on the application of digital technology in the electricity
network in order to supply electricity consumers via two-way communication
monitor and analyze the energy use and help improve energy efficiency,
ensure transparency and reliability of the energy supply chain
Smart energy enabled by 'information and communication technologies' (ICTs)
can allow consumers to closely monitor their consumption and energy suppliers
to more efficiently meet the demand
Smart energy response and management technologies provide utilities with
tools to streamline and target Demand Side Management (DSM) and potential
reduction opportunities
40. Conclusion
The royal govt. of Bhutan is pursuing opportunities for the enlargement of
Hydropower capacities
Several Hydropower projects are underway, which are expected to generate a
total of 10,000 MW by 2020
Nevertheless, there are risk of dependency on the sales of a commodity to a
single market – India
There are risk from natural disasters, such as earthquakes, as Bhutan is located
between the Indian and Asian Tectonic plates
Climate change effects including glacial melts, landslides and monsoon may also
pose a several risk to the infrastructure
42. Nepal
Country of Mount Everest (Highest Peak in the World)
Country of Gautam Buddha; Light of Asia and Founder of Buddhism
Country of Greenery and Blue Sky
Country of Fresh Water
Altitude : 8848.0 to 70 m
Length : 880 km (East to West)
Width : 240 km (North to South)
Area : 147,181 sq km
43. Brief History of Nepal
Nepal had many Small Kingdoms before 1768
The Modern State was formed with the Unification of Nepal. United by the King
Prithvi Narayan Shah on December 21, 1768
Until 2006, Nepal was a kingdom ruled by Royal Family.
On December 28, 2007, the Interim Parliament passed a bill and declared Nepal
to be a Federal Democratic Republic
The First Meeting of the Constituent Assembly on May 28, 2008
44. Nepal Economy
Statistics
GDP : $ 47 billion (2014 est.)
GDP Growth : 5.1 % (2014 est.)
GDP per capita : $ 1,600 (2014 est.)
GDP by Sector : agriculture – 35 %, industry – 20 %, services – 45 % (2010 est.)
Population below : 24.7 % (2008 est.)
Poverty Line
Exports : $ 2 Billion (2013 est.)
Exports Goods : carpets, clothing, leather, jute goods, grain, herbs, tea, coffee
steel, cement, furniture, clothes etc.
Main Exports Partners : India – 55.7 %, United States – 10.1 %, Germany – 4.4 % (2012 est.)
Imports Goods : Petroleum Products, Gold, Machinery
Main Import Partners : India – 51.0 %, China – 34.5 % (2012 est.)
45. Sources of Electricity in Nepal
Water is an important resource of Nepal which represents a source of potential wealth
Nepal is endowed with immense water resources.
The annual precipitation is approximately 1700 mm (80% of which occurs during the
monsoon season)
The Total annual average run off from the nation’s 600 perennial rivers flowing from
high mountains is over 200 billion cu m.
Nepal’s storage potential is estimated at 88 billion cu m
The estimated theoretical power potential is approximately 83,000 MW
The economical feasible potential has been evaluated at approximately 43,000 MW, of
which only 698 MW have been harnessed
46. Nepal Power Scenario
Nepal is bestowed with tremendous hydropower resources
Only about 40% of Nepal's population has access to electricity
Nepal's electricity generation is dominated by hydropower
Though in the entire scenario of energy use of the country, the electricity is a
tiny fraction, only 1% energy need is fulfilled by electricity
The bulk of the energy need is dominated by
fuel wood (68%)
agricultural waste (15%)
animal dung (8%)
imported fossil fuel (8%)
This contributes to deforestation, soil erosion
and depletion, and increased flooding
downstream in the Ganges plain
47. Hydropower in Nepal
Nepal has a huge hydropower potential
Perennial nature of Nepali rivers and the steep gradient of the country's
topography provide ideal conditions for the development of some of the world's
largest hydroelectric projects in Nepal
Current estimates are that Nepal has approximately 40,000 MW of economically
feasible hydropower potential
The present situation is that Nepal has developed only approximately 600 MW of
hydropower
Although bestowed with tremendous hydropower resources, only about 40% of
Nepal's population has access to electricity
Most of the power plants in Nepal are run-of-river type with energy available in
excess during the monsoon season and deficit during the dry season
48. The electricity demand in Nepal is increasing by about 7-9% per year
About 40 % of population in Nepal has access to electricity through the grid and
off grid system
Nepal's Tenth Five Year Plan (2002– 2007) aims to extend the electrification
within country and export to India for mutual benefit
The new Hydropower Policy 2001 seeks to promote private sector investment
and aims to expand the electrification within the country and export
Only one seasonal storage project in the system
The load factor is quite low as the majority of the consumption is dominated by
household use
The system loss is one of the major issues to be addressed to improve the power
system which accounts to be 25 % including technical and non-technical losses
49. Power Generation and Transmission
Nepal has 600 MW of installed capacity in its Integrated Nepal Power System (INPS)
The power system is dominated by the hydropower : 90 % of the system
Balance is met by multi fuel plant
The hydropower development in Nepal began with the development of 500 kW
Pharping power plant in 1911
The most recent significant power plant commissioned is the 144-MW Kali Gandaki
“A” Hydroelectric Plant
Until 1990, hydropower development was under the domain of government utility,
Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA)
With the enactment of new Hydropower Development Policy 1992, the sector was
opened to the private sector also
Private power producers contribute 148 MW of power to the ‘Integrated Nepal
Power System
50. Organization For Electricity in Nepal
Ministry of Electricity
Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA)
Generation
Transmission
Distribution
Private Sector (Generation)
Generation and Distribution (SHP)
55. Indo – Nepal Cooperation in Hydro Power Sector
The matter relating to the development of Water Resources of Common Rivers
with Nepal are under the purview of
Nepal – India Joint Committee on Water Resources (JCWR) – headed by Secretary, MOWR,
Govt. of India from India side
During the 3rd Meeting of JCWR held on 29.09.2008, a three – tier mechanism
was recommended :
Joint Ministerial Level Commission on Water Resources (JMCWR)
Joint Committee on Water Resources (JCWR)
Joint Standing Technical Committee (JSTC)
56. Basin – wise Theoretical Hydro Electric Potential of Nepal
57. Projects Implemented with Indian Assistance
Mutual Interest Projects Under Discussion
58. Conclusion
Government has declared Energy crisis but yet to be approved by parliament
Reduction in custom duties for hydro – electrical equipments
Extended the taking over period
Reduction of Royalties
In coming years, Nepal’s Power Sector is expected to boom tremendously.
Hydropower Projects currently under construction, planned and proposed shold
boost the country’s total generating capacity up to 22,000 MW, half of the
country’s economical hydropower potential
Meantime creation and search of market Power Export