Why is Bhutan not able to secure its energy requirement?

Despite availability of diverse source of clean energy resources in excess of national demand, both in terms of potential and installed capacity, Bhutan has not been able to secure its energy requirement, especially in lean season. Bhutan imports power every winter months, when the demand is at peak and generation is at lowest point.

What type of energy is used in Bhutan?

Oil is used predominantly in transport sector. Gas is used primarily for cooking in urban areas. In 2016, Bhutan consumed total energy of 650,220 tons of oil equivalent (toe). Renewable energy accounts for more than 64% of the total energy supplied, followed by oil and coal with 16% and 15% respectively.

Why do we need a renewable base in Bhutan?

Recently, the need to expand renewable base in Bhutan's energy system has felt strongly, firstly to diversify the energy sources for enhancing energy security, and secondly, because of an unequivocal consensus from the global climate scientists about the potential threat on the energy resources, particularly hydropower due to climate change.

Is Bhutan ready for energy self-sufficiency?

Bhutan continues to import electricity, especially during winter months when demand spikes, and it has only heightened with electricity imported from the energy exchange with effect from January 2022. Given enormous renewable energy resource endowment, it is critical that Bhutan prepares for energy self-sufficiency using its own resources.

Does Bhutan import electricity?

Bhutan has regularly imported electricity during the lean season with the import quantum progressing substantially in the recent years. Commencing 2022 (January to March), Bhutan has resorted to purchasing power from the neighboring energy exchange, and the import is likely to grow in the coming years.

What is Bhutan's hydropower potential?

1.3 Bhutan is endowed with huge hydropower potential together with solar, wind and biomass resources. The techno-economically viable hydropower potential is 33,000 MW from 90 sites as per the Power System Master Plan 2040 (PSMP), where these sites are mostly located outside of the ecological parks and the biological corridors.