Mangdechhu Hydropower Plant

Project scheme            :  Run-of-the-river
Project commission    :  2019

Mangdechhu hydropower plant (MHP), located in Trongsa in central Bhutan, is one of the power plants/profit centres of DGPC. Since its commissioning , MHP was handed over to DGPC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Druk Holding and Investments Limited, on December 27, 2022. MHP was jointly financed by the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) and the Government of India (GoI).

The electricity generated is sold to Bhutan Power Corporation Limited for domestic consumption when the other power plants cannot meet the domestic demand. The surplus energy is exported to India through PTC India Limited. MHP provides 15% of the annual energy production as a royalty to RGoB.

Operation and Maintenance

MHP is one of the ten hydropower projects planned under the ‘10,000 MW by 2020’ initiative of the RGoB to be supported by the GoI. Since its commissioning, the operation and maintenance of the plant are managed by DGPC.

Renovation and Modernisation

Renovation and modernisation works are unnecessary presently as the plant is newly commissioned. However, there are some teething issues, especially with E&M equipment, inherited from the then MHPA, which are being addressed.

Socio-Economic Benefits and Sustainability

The project has carried out development activities in partnership with various agencies. Some of those activities were support to health, education and RNR Sectors based on the philosophy of sustainable socio-economic development. The project was involved in the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage through complementary programs. In retrospect, MHP has in its wisdom complimented the government in its efforts to realise the four principles of Gross National Happiness.

With the project’s commissioning, local communities benefited through funding for school development activities, an early child care and development centre, a basic health care unit, telecommunication connectivity and the construction of Dangdung lhakhang. The project contributed financially to developmental activities not only in Trongsa but also in Zhemgang, Bumthang, Tsirang and Wangdue Phodrang.