COUNTRY BACKGROUND - Gross National Happiness Commission

Energy Sector
Chhukha Tail Race Chhukha Tail Race
20.41 Although the Chhukha Hydel Plant was originally designed to have an installed capacity of 336 MW, it can
be operated only to a maximum of 320 MW because the water level in the tail race tunnel reaches above the
maximum designed level. In practice, the generation has been restricted to 310 MW for safety reason. The
construction of an additional tail race tunnel would enable the Chhukha Hydel Corporation to generate power at the
rated capacity. The construction will take 2 and a half years and the maximum additional revenue per annum at Nu
0.27 per kwh will be Nu 24.93 m.
Bunakha Reservoir SchemeBunakha Reservoir Scheme
20.42 This scheme is intended to build extra storage capacity for additional power generation during lean months
to increase peaking capacity in Chhukha Hydro Power Station. Construction of a 140 m dam at Bunakha is
considered feasible. However, it will take 2 years to complete hydrological investigation and another 3 to 4 years
for construction phase. The reservoir if constructed is expected to generate an extra 185 Mu of energy per year and
rise the Chhukha power revenue by about Nu 50 m at Nu. 0.27 per kWh.
Chhukha II and Chhukha IIIChhukha II and Chhukha III
20.43 Investigations for two large projects downstream from Chhukha will be completed in the early part of
7FYP. One of them will be a 1000 MW run of the river scheme with a diversion structure below Mebri and an
underground power house below Tala. The other located near the border will have a 200 m high dam with a surface
power station with an installed capacity of 600 MW. Regardless of which scheme is selected for implementation,
project implementation will start only at the closing years of 7FYP and commissioned in the 8FYP.
Rural ElectrificationRural Electrification
20.44 The Plan provides for the expansion of rural electrification during the 7FYP. The existing network will be
extended into rural areas wherever there is excess power. However, much of the rural electrification programmes
will depend firstly on the execution of generation projects and secondly on the installation of high voltage
transmission lines to which low voltage subtransmission and distribution lines can be connected.
Transmission lines and associated substations, subtransmission and distribution linesTransmission lines and
associated substations, subtransmission and distribution lines
20.45 High voltage transmission and associated substations are estimated to cost about Nu 1030 m. This cost
includes the installation cost of the Eastern region grid, Central region grid, Simtokha-Basachu line and Basachu-
Geylegphug line. The Subtransmission and distribution programme covers the establishment of low-voltage
networks in the urban areas. A provision has been kept for the expansion of townships as well as emergence of new
townships and realignments of lines where new townships are likely.
Power Master Plan and Hydrology InvestigationsPower Master Plan and Hydrology Investigations
20.46 The formulation of Power Master Plan was started in 1990 and will be completed by 1993. It will guide the
future actions in the power sector. The Master Plan will produce a ranked list of potential hydro-power project sites.
These sites have to be investigated in detail for investment decisions. In addition to investigation for power
projects, hydrological investigation will include collection and dissemination of hydrological and meteorological
data, both for use by the Department of Power and other agencies.
Unspecified Power SchemesUnspecified Power Schemes
20.47 Unspecified Power Schemes refers to three types of expenditure: (1) projects which are not yet firm and
further details needs to be worked out; (2) expenditure on recommissioning of existing power plants; and (3) solar
energy projects, wind and biogas energy projects and minihydro plants ( such as the proposed Chhalori mini hydel
project in pema Gatshel and Dongdichu mini hydel project in Tashi Yangtsi. Expenditure items on recommissioning
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