P I

2026-02-20 - 07:45

For more than a decade, the 1,200 MW Punatsangchu I project has tested Bhutan’s patience, finances and resolve. The right bank slides of 2013, 2016 and 2019 were not just engineering setbacks; they became symbols of uncertainty hanging over one of the country’s most important hydropower investments. Today, however, there are signs that Punatsangchu I is entering a more decisive and mature phase. What stands out in the latest round of deliberations is not haste, but caution. The Bhutanese side has pushed firmly for deeper and more comprehensive stabilization of the weak right bank, even agreeing to bear an additional Nu 4 billion to reduce the slope angle from 30 degrees to 26 degrees. That decision, though costly, reflects a long-term mindset. Hydropower infrastructure is not built for five or ten years; it is built for generations. The planned removal of millions of cubic metres of overburden, the installation of hundreds of reinforced concrete piles and cable anchors extending up to 130 metres into the mountain, and the construction of deep drainage wells show that lessons have been learned. These are not cosmetic fixes. They are structural, science-based interventions designed to “pin and stitch” the right bank into stable rock. Equally important is the insistence on careful dam design review. The hesitation to adopt untested approaches, such as building portions of the dam on piles, demonstrates prudence. In projects of this scale, innovation must be balanced with global best practice and long-term safety. At the same time, attention is turning to the idle electromechanical equipment. The six turbines and associated systems, supplied years ago, represent significant national investment. Working jointly with the supplier to preserve and maintain them is essential to avoid further losses and ensure smooth commissioning when civil works are completed. Punatsangchu I has undoubtedly been expensive, financially and emotionally. But the current approach suggests a shift from reactive rectification to preventive stabilization. If executed as planned, these measures could finally place the project on firm ground. Hydropower remains the backbone of Bhutan’s economy. Completing Punatsangchu I safely and sustainably is not just about megawatts. It is about restoring confidence in our institutions, in our partnerships, and in our capacity to overcome formidable challenges with patience and resolve. “Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.” — Henry Ford