Bhutan could face power shortage (Economy)

Thimphu, June 18: The smallest nation but largest producer of electricity in the region, Bhutan is likely to face acute shortage of power in the wake of increasing industrial activities.

Most of the projects currently in progress in the country are meant to supply power to India. The country lacks any smaller hydels to supply power to remote village.

All power produced in the last decade has been supplied to India where demands have skyrocket with unprecedented industrial growth.

Bhutan Power Corporation Limited (BPCL) also has expressed similar situation in the coming years since most upcoming industries in the country will need power to operate.

Many new industries are power intensive which Bhutan will find difficult to feed because all productions have been diverted to India.

Bhutan has sanctioned 28 new industrial set-ups in Pasakha that may consume over 155 MW of power. Process for additional industrial licenses is on the line.

One of major cause for power shortage in Pasakha-Phuentsholing line is lack of line for power supply. Lines running from Phuentsholing to Samtse are already overloaded. Bhutan News Service