Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has achieved a significant milestone by commissioning two units of the 6×170 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project (PHEP-II) in Bhutan.
The project, a greenfield initiative located in the Wangdue district of Western Bhutan, is part of a bilateral agreement between the Indian and Bhutanese governments. According to a press release by BHEL, the project is equipped with state-of-the-art Francis turbines, designed to operate at a rated head of 241 meters—the highest for any Francis-type hydro turbine in Bhutan.
Units 1 and 2 of the hydroelectric project were successfully synchronized on December 16 and 17, 2024, respectively. Once all six units are operational, the project is expected to generate an annual output of 4,357 gigawatt-hours, significantly contributing to Bhutan’s renewable energy capacity and its export potential to India.
The commissioning of PHEP-II marks another milestone in India-Bhutan collaboration in clean energy, reinforcing the shared commitment of the two nations towards sustainable development.
