The announcement was made by Energy and Natural Resources Minister Gem Tshering at the meet-the-press conference on February 7.
Lyonpo Gem Tshering said that while the Jongthang hydropower project was planned for commissioning by 2034, it is subject to a detailed feasibility study and financing availability.
The REDR focuses on closing the country’s growing energy demand-supply gap, reducing dependency on imports, and strengthening energy security by 2034 and beyond.
The plan aims to add 15,000 MW of hydropower capacity and 5,000 MW of solar power by 2040 to ensure long-term energy security.
Lyonpo Gem Tshering said that renewable energy development is a key priority in the 13th Plan, aligning with Bhutan’s commitments made at the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) on phasing out the use of fossils and transitioning to renewable energy.
Domestic energy demand has been steadily increasing over the years. To meet the energy deficit, Bhutan has been importing electricity during the winter lean season. And for the first time in 2023, domestic electricity consumption exceeded exports—a significant shift in the country’s energy landscape.
In 2023, a total of 11,157 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of hydroelectricity were supplied. Of this, 622 GWh were imported, 5,895 GWh were consumed domestically—with 5,531.98 GWh by industries and 364 GWh by households— and 5,143 GWh were exported.
According to the Environmental Accounts Statistics 2024, this marks a departure from the past decade, during which exports traditionally outpaced domestic use. The change is linked to declining hydropower production and an increasing reliance on imported electricity.
According to the Department of Hydropower Systems, Bhutan’s energy demand could grow by more than 400 percent by 2030 if current consumption trends continue.
The surge in domestic demand over the years is primarily driven by the growing industrial sector, which accounted for 93.84 percent of the total domestic electricity consumption in 2023. In contrast, household consumption comprised only 6.17 percent, relying more heavily on fossil fuels and fuelwood for energy needs.
In the 13th Plan, the government plans to construct 10 large hydropower projects. And if everything pans out as planned, Bhutan will generate more than 10,000 MW of electricity once these hydropower projects are commissioned.
