Hydropower: The preliminary findings of the recently completed pre-feasibility study on the Dangchhu hydropower project shows that the project is techno-economically favourable.

The managing director for Druk Green Power Corporation, Dasho Chhewang Rinzin said that the pre-feasibility study report found that the hydropower project on the Dangchhu river would have an installed capacity of 170MW with the project components located on the right bank of the river.

Dasho Chhewang Rinzin said the preliminary findings show that the project is techno-economically favourable and therefore it has been recommended that studies be moved to the detailed project report level.

The Department of Hydropower and Power Systems of the economic affairs ministry conducted the pre-feasibility study of the Dangchhu project.

Dasho Chhewang Rinzin said once the project is compared with other projects, based on the ranking, the Department of Hydropower and Power Systems might either ask the Druk Green Power Corporation to undertake the preparation for the detailed project report or take up the studies on their own. The decision is yet to be made.

“However the decision to construct the hydropower project will be taken only after completing the detailed project report based on the techno-economic feasibility of the project,” said Dasho Chhewang Rinzin.

He added that the project is quite a way off from being considered for construction. Once the government clears the project for preparation of a detailed project report, it will take at least two years to prepare the report and then if the project is to be taken up for construction, it might take at least another year for project structuring.

The pre-feasibility study report suggests that the project could be completed within four to five years from the start of construction, said Dasho Chhewang Rinzin.

Dawa Gyelmo | Wangdue

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