Page 43 - PDP Manifesto 2018

42 MANIFESTO : 2018
Bhutan. e rst two jewels, hydropower and mining, provide signi cant resources for development empowering the central government. e other three jewels bene t the people directly through creation and distribution of wealth.
e Five Jewels include:
i. Hydropower and Energy
ii. Mining
iii. Agriculture
iv. Tourism
v. Small & Medium Enterprises (SME) and Cottage & Small
Industries (CSI)
4.1.1 Hydropower and Energy
a. Hydropower
Hydropower is the most productive sector in the country. Meaningful exploitation
of this important natural resource shall be one of the biggest priorities for the PDP. e timely completion of the ongoing hydropower projects under construction will ensure economic growth and address external debt situation. e PDP will ensure that the projects are completed on time.
We will also facilitate local business community including the local
construction sector to be meaningfully engaged during the construction phase of the projects.
e PDP will prioritize development of hydropower projects with the main aim to achieve sustainable economic self-reliance, meet the nation’s domestic energy security, promote industrial growth and enhance the national revenue.
Bhutan has a hydropower potential of 30,000MW of which 23,760MW is techno- economically feasible. Today, Bhutan exploits 1,614MW of hydropower in the country. is accounts to only 7% of the total estimated potential.
Table 1: Hydropower projects in operation in Bhutan today
1 3 5
Sl. no
Hydropower Project
Chukha HP
Capacity (in MW)
336
2
Kurichhu HP
60
Basochhu I & II
64
4
Tala HP
1020
Dagachhu
126
6
Mini and micro HPs
8
Total
1,614
PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC PARTY
UNITY. STABILITY. PROSPERITY.