- 49:51 Adani Power-DGPC partnership to develop major run-of-river project in central Bhutan
- Six-year construction timeline from groundbreaking; work expected to begin in first half of 2027
- Project to strengthen Bhutan’s winter power security while enabling surplus green-power exports to India
- Second major collaboration follows 570-MW Wangchhu project and advances broader 5,000-MW hydropower partnership
NE ENERGY BUREAU
THIMPHU/AHMEDABAD, OCT 6
A new 770-MW hydropower project is set to deepen the India-Bhutan clean-energy partnership, with Adani Power and Bhutan’s state-owned Druk Green Power Corp. (DGPC) signing a Shareholders Agreement (SHA) to develop the Chamkharchhu-I Hydroelectric Project in central Bhutan—designed to strengthen Bhutan’s winter power security while creating scope for exporting surplus green electricity to India during the summer.
The agreement for the project, located on the Chamkharchhu River in Zhemgang District, marks the second major hydropower collaboration between the two partners following their agreement for the 570-MW Wangchhu Hydroelectric Project in September 2025.
It also advances the larger 5,000-MW hydropower development partnership between the Adani Group and DGPC under the Memorandum of Understanding signed in May 2025.
The signing ceremony was attended by Prime Minister of Bhutan Lyonchen Dasho Tshering Tobgay, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and representatives of Druk Holding & Investments Ltd. (DHI), Bhutan Power Corporation Ltd. (BPC), the DGPC Board and management, besides Adani Power representatives.
49:51 PARTNERSHIP TO POWER BHUTAN’S NEXT HYDRO CHAPTER
The Chamkharchhu-I project will be implemented under the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) model through a 49:51 equity partnership between Adani Power and DGPC.
The project will operate under a 30-year concession from the commercial operation date (COD).
Construction is expected to begin in the first half of 2027, with commissioning targeted within six years of groundbreaking.
Designed as a peaking run-of-river hydropower project, Chamkharchhu-I is expected to add significantly to Bhutan’s clean-energy generation capacity while supporting closer regional energy cooperation.
For Bhutan, the project is particularly significant because of its potential contribution to meeting peak winter electricity requirements, when domestic power demand and seasonal hydropower availability create additional energy-security challenges.
WINTER SECURITY, SUMMER POWER EXPORTS
The project’s potential goes beyond generating electricity.
According to Adani Power, Chamkharchhu-I is expected to help meet Bhutan’s winter power requirements while enabling the country to export surplus green power to India during the summer months.
Anil Sardana, Managing Director, Adani Power Ltd., said the project would deepen the company’s partnership with the Royal Government of Bhutan and DGPC.
“We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with the Royal Government of Bhutan and DGPC through the Chamkharchhu Hydroelectric Project. Hydropower will play a pivotal role in accelerating South Asia’s energy transition, and this project will contribute significantly to enhancing energy security, reducing carbon intensity, and advancing shared sustainability goals. While the project is expected to help meet Bhutan’s peak winter electricity requirements, it will also enable the export of surplus green power to India during the summer months, creating long-term value for both nations,” said Sardana.
The project thus envisages a two-way regional energy proposition: greater energy security for Bhutan during periods of peak requirement and additional clean-power availability for India when surplus generation is available.
SECOND PROJECT UNDER A 5,000-MW CLEAN-ENERGY VISION
Dasho Chhewang Rinzin, Managing Director, DGPC, described the agreement as another milestone in Bhutan’s hydropower development journey and its long-standing energy partnership with India.
“This partnership marks another significant milestone in Bhutan’s hydropower development journey and further strengthens the long-standing energy partnership between Bhutan and India. The 770 MW Chamkharchhu-I Hydropower Project will contribute to strengthening Bhutan’s energy security, particularly during the winter months, while creating opportunities to optimise and export surplus clean energy to India. Beyond the project itself, this collaboration reflects our shared commitment to developing Bhutan’s renewable energy resources through strong partnerships and responsible, efficient project delivery. We look forward to working closely with Adani Power to realise this important project and to advancing further opportunities under the broader hydropower development partnership,” said Rinzin.
The two organisations are also evaluating additional hydropower opportunities under the broader 5,000-MW development programme.
With Chamkharchhu-I, the partnership moves beyond an individual power project towards a wider framework for developing Bhutan’s hydropower resources, strengthening cross-border electricity cooperation and expanding the role of renewable energy in the region.