From the strengths of hydropower to sustainable green development: Dagachhu hydro-power project in Bhutan

The undertaking of 126 MW Dagachhu Hydro-power Project as the world's first cross-border Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) has promising trends in contributing at ecological sustainability.

The trend of the global energy sufficiency shows that there has been increasing energy consumption by the consumers with excessive use of the environmental resources – exhibiting a negative style of progress. We are already witnessing the uneven climatic changes, there has been greater wildlife displacement and the Poles are not what it used to be decades ago. Studies have also showcased species extinctions and effects of nuclear power - in short, snowballing of ecological crisis.

With 15% investment as a shareholder, the National Pension and Provident Fund (NPPF) in Bhutan takes pride in having undertaken the Dagachhu Hydro-power Project that will in long run minimize threats and educate about environmental risks to a greater mass and promote environmental progress across the borders.

With thermal dominated Indian energy market, there is a rising demand and increasing reliance on a particular energy source thereby alleviating the greenhouse gas emission. In the case of Bhutan, it remains carbon neutral. Renewable Energy is promoted through hydropower resources that are green and clean. Since most of the power generated in Bhutan is exported to India, Hydropower Projects such as Dagachhu project is expected to help meet the demand of power and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in India. In green terms, exporting of clean energy to India under Dagachhu project is expected to reduce Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 500,000 tonnes per year. As much as promoting green trade and green economy, in a wider scale, it will stimulate low carbon growth, diffusing low carbon technologies and exploring green power for innovative and green sustainable development.

NPPF acknowledges the cons of hydropower to the ecological diversity but is equally convinced with the green progress that hydro-power brings with it along – the primary one being, it is clean. NPPF is looking forward in investing to more CDM projects reaffirming that living as one in this global world is everyone's responsibility. 

Happiness for all.