Blood Donation Campaign
As a part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), 33 Druk Green staff from the corporate office, including two from Chhukha Hydropower Plant and Dagachhu Hydropower Corporation, participated in the blood donation campaign on February 27, 2013.
Of these, 26 donated blood to the blood bank at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in Thimphu, while the remaining seven were deferred due to reasons including high blood pressure and underweight.
The campaign was held at Druk Green’s Corporate Office in Thimphu, organised by Druk Green along with five staff from the hospital.
The blood donation campaign was our first activity towards CSR this year.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Apart from the commercial aspects of Druk Green's operations, Druk Green takes its corporate social responsibility seriously and is involved in a variety of social, cultural and religious activities that not only uplifts the livelihoods of the communities in the immediate vicinity of the projects but also the nation at large.
During the Year 2010, Druk Green immensely supported many monasteries and lhakhangs through renovations, electrification, construction of welfare centres and donations. Druk Green also supported many schools and BHU's located at the vicinity of the plants.A number of scholorships were also provided to the students with the poor economical background. A clock tower worth Nu.2.550 m was also constructed for the benefit of Gedu college of Business Studies.
Most importantly, Druk Green has also supported the electrification work of the two communities of phasuma and Toktogom village at THP since the plan for the electrification for these villages were not included in the 10th five year plan. The electrification work is estimated to be completed in 2011 with the total cost of Nu.5.47 million and Nu.3.60 million respectively.
Druk Green has also been providing Nu. 4.70 million every year since 2008 for the Watershed Management of Wangchu River Basin to Ministry of Agriculture through GNH Commission . Aside, Druk Green has also supported number of sport activities like Druk Wangyel Archery Tournament.
Corporate Social Responsibility (2009)
DGPC is a company with a farsighted vision and mission. Besides DGPC’s lead role in accelerating the hydropower development in the country, it is also conscious about the CSR. DGPC as a corporate entity is actively involved in CSR – some of which are as listed below:
Provide Employment
In an effort to be a responsible, proactive, and progressive company with motivated and high performing individuals, DGPC maintains 1766 employees. With the plan to harness 10,000 MW by 2020, DGPC will be creating employment to majority of Bhutanese populaces. According to a preliminary study carried out by Water and Power Consultancy Services Ltd., India, (WAPCOS), the construction of two more hydropower projects that are scheduled to begin this year, will create more than 7,000 new jobs in 2010. The WAPCOS study shows that, by 2013, 59,932 workers will be required in hydroelectric power plant construction.
Accelerate Industrial Growth
Industrial growth has also been spurred by the availability of cheap and reliable supply of electricity with the industries sector accounting for more than 70% of the electricity consumed within Bhutan. When the 336 MW Chhukha project was commissioned in 1986-88, cheap electricity fuelled the establishment and rapid growth of energy intensive industries such as the Bhutan Carbide and Chemicals Limited (BCCL) and the Bhutan Ferro Alloys Limited (BFAL). Industries such as the Penden Cement Authority Limited (PCAL) also benefited from the cheap electricity supply. However, with the recent commissioning of the Tala project, a large number of new energy intensive industries are being set up at Pasakha Industrial Estate. Existing industries such as BFAL, BCCL, PCAL and Lhaki Cement at Gomtu also expanded their capacities.
Contributions to the national celebrations
DGPC joined the nation in the celebrations of the Coronation of the Druk Gyalpo and the historical milestone of the Centenary of the Wangchuk dynasty by contributing over Nu. 4.60 million for the various activities as part of the national celebrations.
Preserving Culture
As a part of preserving the rich culture of the country, Druk Green Power Corporation is actively participating in the construction, renovation, and electrification of lhakhangs and gomdeys throughout the kingdom. In 2009, Druk Green contributed around Nu. 1.28 million as donations to various lhakhangs and gomdeys.
Humanitarian Aid
On 21 September 2009, Eastern Bhutan was hit by a destructive earthquake and other natural disasters which claimed many lives and caused damages to houses, institutions, lhakhangs, and other important monuments. Druk green power corporation played a major role in providing all the necessary support to those affected families and in re-building their homes. Druk Green contributed Nu. 4 million to the Kidu Fund through DHI. In addition, the employees of Druk Green also contributed around Nu. 0.43 million towards His Majesty Kidu Fund for the relief activities.
Education and Youth development
Druk Green contributed around Nu. 0.13 million in 2009 towards education and development of the youths in Bhutan. The contribution mainly involves supporting some students for continuing their education and contribution to Youth Development Fund.
Environment
Realizing that hydropower is main engine of the country’s economic growth, Druk Green Power Corporation has accorded importance in maintaining the catchments areas of the hydropower plants. Druk Green Power Corporation has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gross National Happiness Commission (GNHC) to provide a grant to finance “Rehabilitation of degraded areas along Wangchhu” for the period beginning July 2008 till June 2013. Druk Green Power Corporation shall provide a grant of Nu. 22.75 million to afforest and reforest areas stretching between Paro and Thimphu where the vegetation is completely degraded.