Punatsangchhu-II dam and reservoir

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has successfully commissioned the first two units of the 6x170MW Punatsangchhu-II hydroelectric project (PHEP-II) in Bhutan. The project, developed under a bilateral agreement between India and Bhutan, is located in Wangdue district.

The Francis Turbine installed in Punatsangchhu-II is designed to operate at a rated head of 241m, the highest for any Francis-type hydro turbine in Bhutan. Once all six units are operational, the project is expected to generate 4,357GWh annually.

Units 1 and 2 were synchronized on December 16 and 17, 2024, respectively. A ceremony on December 17, coinciding with Bhutan’s National Day, was attended by His Excellency Lyonpo Gem Tshering, Minister of Energy & Natural Resources and Chairman of PHPA-II.

BHEL’s role in Punatsangchhu-II includes the design, manufacture, supply, installation, and commissioning of electro-mechanical components, including six 170MW Vertical Francis Turbines and generators, a control and monitoring system, generator transformers, shunt reactor, bus duct, and other auxiliaries.

The equipment was supplied from BHEL’s facilities in Bhopal, Jhansi, Rudrapur, and Bengaluru, with site erection and commissioning managed by its Power Sector-Eastern Region division in Kolkata.

BHEL has previously executed major hydro projects in Bhutan, including Chukha (4x84MW), Kurichhu (4x15MW), Tala (6x170MW), and Mangdechhu (4x180MW). With the commissioning of these two units at Punatsangchhu-II, BHEL’s contribution to Bhutan’s installed hydro capacity now stands at nearly 89%.

The company is also working on the 6×200 MW Punatsangchhu-I project in Bhutan and hydro projects in Nepal, including the 4x225MW Arun-3 and 2x20MW Rahughat projects. BHEL has executed over 3.8GW of hydro projects abroad and has more than 2.8GW currently under execution.