Moving towards making South Asia’s energy sector more self-reliant, India’s Adani Power has undertaken another mega project on Bhutanese soil. By signing a historic agreement with the Bhutan government-owned Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC), the institution has paved the way for the construction of the 770 MW Chamkharchhu-I hydropower project in the country. The work on this project, scheduled to start in early 2027, is aimed to be completed within six years of the ground-breaking ceremony.
The mega project, to be developed on the Chamkharchhu River in Bhutan’s Zhemgang district, will be built with a 49:51 partnership between Adani Power and DGPC. The project, to be constructed on a Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) model, will remain operational for 30 years after starting commercial power generation. This project will not only increase Bhutan’s power generation capacity but will also provide a new momentum to international energy cooperation in the entire region.
Anil Sardana, Managing Director of Adani Power, stated in this regard that this project will play a key role in addressing the increasing electricity shortage in Bhutan during winter and will create a golden opportunity to export surplus electricity produced in the country to India during summer. He also commented that such steps in South Asia’s green energy transition will help in reducing carbon emissions and ensuring energy security.
Meanwhile, Dasho Chhewang Rinzin, Managing Director of DGPC, said, “The 770 MW Chamkharchhu-I hydropower project will ensure Bhutan’s energy security, especially during the winter months. Alongside this, both countries will benefit economically by supplying surplus green energy to India during summer.”
Notably, after the 570 MW Wangchhu hydropower project signed between the two institutions in September 2025, Chamkharchhu-I is the second major joint venture project between Adani and DGPC. This mega project is now gaining attention as an integral part of the 5,000 MW green energy partnership agreement concluded between the Adani Group and the Royal Government of Bhutan in May 2025.
