GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF POWER

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 5960

ANSWERED ON:02.05.2013

HYDRO POWER PROJECTS IN BHUTAN

(a) the details of the power projects being undertaken in Bhutan with the assistance of the Indian Government along with their installed capacity, actual power being generated therefrom and the status of completion of the pending power projects;

(b) whether the power generated therefrom is proposed to be supplied to India by linking the transmission lines to the power grids;

(c) if so, the details thereof along with the capacity of the proposed transmission lines in this regard; and

(d) the likely time frame by which power generation is likely to be started from the pending power projects?

ANSWER 

 (a) :Under the bilateral co-operation between India and Bhutan for development of Hydroelectric Projects in Bhutan, presently six (6) hydroelectric projects have been approved by the Government of India. Out of these, three hydroelectric projects have already been commissioned and three hydroelectric projects are under execution. The execution of these projects is at Annex.

(b) & (c) : The surplus power generated from these projects is / would be exported to India. Power from Punatsangchhu–I HEP is proposed to be evacuated through 400 kV lines upto Pooling Point at Alipurduar ( located in Northern part of West Bengal,

India). At Alipurduar, a + 800 kV, 3000 MW HVDC terminal is planned, which will be integrated to + 800 kV,6000 MW HVDC Bipole line being constructed between Bishwanath Chariali ( North Eastern Region) and Agra (Northern Region) for onward transfer of power to Northern and Western Regions. The transmission line from Punatsangchhu-I HEP to Lhamoizingkha (Bhutan Border) is being implemented by Bhutan Power Corporation Limited while the remaining portion within India is being implemented by PGCIL.

(d) :The expected date of completion of three ongoing Hydroelectric Power Projects is as per Annex