The Bhutanese

The Bhutanese The Bhutanese-Get your news at the paper that makes the biggest impact in Bhutan. www.thebhutanese.bt

21/11/2025

Tata Power and DGPC signs Commercial Agreements for the implementation of 1,125 MW Dorjilung Hydroelectric Power Project in Bhutan

Commits INR 15.72 billon of equity investment, to be infused in tranches

Set to be Bhutan’s largest Public–Private Partnership hydro project

Expected commissioning by September 2031
80% of power to flow to India, while supporting Bhutan’s energy security and developmental priorities


National | November 21, 2025: Tata Power, one of India’s largest integrated power companies, today announced the signing of Commercial Agreements with Druk Green Power Corporation Limited (DGPC) for the implementation of the 1,125 MW Dorjilung project. The Project will be implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), with DGPC and Tata Power holding equity shares of 60% and 40%, respectively.

The Run-of-the-River project, comprising six units of 187.5 MW each, is being developed on the Kurichhu River in Mongar, Bhutan. Designed with a six-hour pondage for peaking, Dorjilung represents a major step forward in expanding clean, reliable hydropower in the region. Tata Power has committed an equity investment of approximately INR 15.72 bn to be infused in tranches as per the agreed structure.

At a total project cost of INR 131 billion, Dorjilung will be Bhutan’s second-largest hydropower project, and the largest Public–Private Partnership (PPP) hydro project ever undertaken in the country. On completion, the SPV will become an associate company of Tata Power, strengthening its strategic presence in the Himalayan renewable energy corridor.

The project is slated for commissioning in September 2031, and 80% of its generation will be supplied to India, providing a significant boost to regional energy security and clean power availability. The project is supported by the World Bank, marking a milestone in cross-border clean-energy financing.

The agreement was signed in Thimphu, Bhutan, in the presence of the Prime Minister of Bhutan and representatives of the Embassy of India and the World Bank.

The partnership between Tata Power and DGPC builds on decades of energy cooperation that have shaped South Asia’s clean energy landscape. Dorjilung marks the next chapter after the Dagachhu Hydro Power Project where Tata Power holds 26% stake and the under-implementation 600 MW Khorlochhu Hydropower Project where Tata Power also holds a 40% stake. Together, these projects advance the broader commitment of Tata Power and DGPC to jointly develop 5,000 MW of clean energy capacity in Bhutan, which is aligned with Bhutan’s national priorities and India’s net-zero ambitions.

Dr. Praveer Sinha, CEO & MD, Tata Power, said: “The Dorjilung project reinforces our commitment to accelerating clean energy development in the region. As Bhutan’s largest hydro project under the PPP model, it is designed to fully support Bhutan’s domestic energy aspirations while also enabling the export of surplus clean power to India, strengthening regional energy security. We thank the Governments of Bhutan and India, the World Bank, and DGPC for their support and trust. This partnership further strengthens our hydropower portfolio and positions the Indo–Bhutan energy corridor as a leading model for mutually beneficial, cross-border green energy cooperation.”

Apart from the recent commissioning of the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu II hydroelectric project and the expected completion of the 1,200 MW Punatsangchhu I hydroelectric project within the next four years, the Government of India’s recent announcement of a concessional Line of Credit of INR 40 billion for Bhutan’s energy projects further signals strong bilateral support for sustainable infrastructure and green growth.

Dasho Chhewang Rinzin, Managing Director, Druk Green Power Corporation Limited (DGPC) said: “We are extremely happy to be moving ahead with the implementation of the Dorjilung project so soon after the Khorlochhu project in partnership with Tata Power. Bhutan’s huge hydropower potential positions it at the heart of South Asia’s clean energy future. Our strategic partnership with Tata Power on the Dorjilung project reflects Bhutan’s commitment to collaborative partnerships for regional progress. By combining Bhutan’s hydropower capabilities with India’s technical expertise, we are creating a future of reliable, clean energy that benefits both nations and sets a global benchmark in green cooperation. We look forward to start working on other projects also with Tata Power and other partners.”

Once operational, the Dorjilung Hydroelectric Power Project will significantly enhance Tata Power’s renewable energy portfolio while supporting Bhutan’s developmental priorities. As one of India’s largest integrated power companies, Tata Power is proud to deepen its collaboration with DGPC — a partnership built on trust, shared values, and a common vision for sustainable regional progress.

(Advertisement) # Join the Space Symposium 2026 during the Bhutan Space Week (17-23 Feb 2026)
21/11/2025

(Advertisement)

# Join the Space Symposium 2026 during the Bhutan Space Week (17-23 Feb 2026)

20 November 2025: Their Majesties The King and Gyaltsuen received the newly ordained Gelongmas this morning and offered ...
20/11/2025

20 November 2025: Their Majesties The King and Gyaltsuen received the newly ordained Gelongmas this morning and offered the first auspicious alms to mark their ordination.

The nuns, who have been receiving full Gelongma ordination from His Holiness the Je Khenpo over the past several days, then proceeded along Norzin Lam to receive alms.

Hundreds of people gathered along the route to offer alms and prayers as the Gelongmas made their way to the Clock Tower Square, where they were formally received by the Prime Minister. The procession marked the final public event of the Global Peace Prayer Festival, commemorating the 70th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.

This year’s ordination has brought together more than 260 nuns from 14 countries, making it one of the most significant Gelongma ordinations held in Bhutan. The five-day ceremony, organised by the Bhutan Nuns Foundation in partnership with the Central Monastic Body, follows the landmark 2022 ordination, when full Mahayana Gelongma vows were conferred on a large group of nuns for the first time in the region.

The Gelongma ordination is the highest level of vows in the Buddhist monastic tradition for nuns. Its continuation in Bhutan is seen as a major step in restoring a lineage of women’s ordination that had largely disappeared in many parts of the Buddhist world. With full vows, nuns are able to participate equally in the monastic community, helping re-establish the complete fourfold sangha of monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen described in early Buddhist teachings.

Bhutan is now one of the few places where women can receive full ordination within the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition, a development regarded as spiritually significant for the advancement of the Dharma and for widening opportunities for women pursuing monastic life. The culmination of the ordination and today’s alms offering brings an auspicious end to weeks of prayers, ceremonies, and national celebrations held under the Global Peace Prayer Festival.

20/11/2025

As part of the concluding events of the Global Peace Prayer Festival, nearly 270 nuns from 14 countries received Gelongma ordination from His Holiness the Je Khenpo at the Bhutan Nuns Foundation in Tshalumaphey.

Today the newly ordained Gelongmas undertook a ceremonial alms round Thimphu.

𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻This is to inform the general public that Thimphu Thromde will commence the construction of a bridge ...
18/11/2025

𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
This is to inform the general public that Thimphu Thromde will commence the construction of a bridge at Dechencholing starting tomorrow. In this regard, the road will be closed to all traffic for one week, until an alternative diversion route is established next to the construction area.
We sincerely apologize for the temporary inconvenience caused and seek your kind cooperation.

During the construction period:
Motorists are advised to use alternative routes.
Pedestrians are requested to exercise caution when passing near the site.

Please note that the total construction period is estimated to be approximately six months.

Source: Thimphu Thromde

Ultra-processed Food Consumption and 45% higher risk of Colorectal Cancer PrecursorsA study published in Jama Oncology s...
17/11/2025

Ultra-processed Food Consumption and 45% higher risk of Colorectal Cancer Precursors

A study published in Jama Oncology said that of 29,105 females (below 50 years) who underwent lower endoscopy in a long-term study, those with the highest consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) intake had a statistically significant 45% higher odds of early-onset colorectal conventional adenomas compared with the lowest quintile.

https://thebhutanese.bt/ultra-processed-food-consumption-and-risk-of-early-onset-colorectal-cancer-precursors-among-women/

(Advertisement) # Hyundai Motor’s
17/11/2025

(Advertisement)

# Hyundai Motor’s

PBH, SDF, and GMC: The View from Drukair Flight 541Milan Thomas ()Drukair Flight 541 from Singapore touched down in Paro...
17/11/2025

PBH, SDF, and GMC: The View from Drukair Flight 541

Milan Thomas ()

Drukair Flight 541 from Singapore touched down in Paro to triumphant cheers, nearly a full day after its scheduled arrival. For my wife and me, it was our first time arriving in Bhutan as tourists after living in Thimphu for nearly two years. The landing in Paro is always remarkable, but this landing stood out because of the 24 hours that preceded it.

Due to Cyclone Bulbul, our flight (along with several others in early November) was unable to land in Paro. Our highly skilled pilot attempted three landings. Between those attempts, the passengers and crew waited out the situation in the sky, on the tarmac in Guwahati, and overnight in a hotel.

https://thebhutanese.bt/pbh-sdf-and-gmc-the-view-from-drukair-flight-541/



https://thebhutanese.bt/pbh-sdf-and-gmc-the-view-from-drukair-flight-541/

Milan Thomas () Drukair Flight 541 from Singapore touched down in Paro to triumphant che

Michael Rutland, tutor to the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, remembers Bhutan’s teen MonarchMichael emphasized that what made the F...
17/11/2025

Michael Rutland, tutor to the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, remembers Bhutan’s teen Monarch

Michael emphasized that what made the Fourth King exceptional was the combination of humility, empathy, and strategic foresight. “There is a heart of gold,” he said, describing the King’s kindness and empathy toward his people.

He also recalled the Fourth King’s insistence on humility over personal glory: “Definitely not. Some people died. This is not something to celebrate,” referring to the King’s refusal of a grand victory parade in 2003.

https://thebhutanese.bt/michael-rutland-tutor-to-the-fourth-druk-gyalpo-remembers-bhutans-teen-monarch/



https://thebhutanese.bt/michael-rutland-tutor-to-the-fourth-druk-gyalpo-remembers-bhutans-teen-monarch/

Tranquility Beyond Borders: The Great Fourth’s Diplomacy of Wisdom and HarmonyBy Rigxel YangchenToday, when Bhutan addre...
17/11/2025

Tranquility Beyond Borders: The Great Fourth’s Diplomacy of Wisdom and Harmony

By Rigxel Yangchen

Today, when Bhutan addresses on international platforms, the whole world pays attention not because of Bhutan’s authority, but because it reflects what it advocates for, that is, peace as action, not merely a pledge. This is Bhutan’s message to the world: that a country’s impact does not have to rely on the geographical area that it covers or the amount of power that it holds. It can flow placidly, like the gentle rivers, yet possess the strength to carve mighty mountains. Bhutan may be smaller in its territorial coverage, yet its spirit, guided by His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s principles of quiet diplomacy, transverse borders and continues to be His Majesty’s greatest gift to mankind.

https://thebhutanese.bt/tranquility-beyond-borders-the-great-fourths-diplomacy-of-wisdom-and-harmony/



https://thebhutanese.bt/tranquility-beyond-borders-the-great-fourths-diplomacy-of-wisdom-and-harmony/

By Rigxel Yangchen “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is indivis

A King who offered his people a genuine partnershipBy Tashi DemaAt the tender age of sixteen, amid mourning for the late...
17/11/2025

A King who offered his people a genuine partnership

By Tashi Dema

At the tender age of sixteen, amid mourning for the late king, his father, and trepidations of the future unseen, the young prince anchored to peace, not so much himself, but an orphaned Bhutan.

During the coronation address on June 2, 1974, His Majesty the Fourth King presented his proposal for partnership with the people in securing the country’s sovereignty, peace, and development. It was an audacious departure from the globally accepted governance systems that thrived on control and subservience. His message was simple yet revolutionary: building the nation’s strength depended on the willing hands of its people, who could effect radical changes than could any of the government’s grandest undertakings. There were no grand promises nor lofty enticements for loyalty; only an astounding and ludicrous offer of partnership. The King proposed, and the people accepted in a daze. The King and his Partners thus ventured to invest wisdom, courage, and compassion to manufacture the peace that we have today.

https://thebhutanese.bt/a-king-who-offered-his-people-a-genuine-partnership/



https://thebhutanese.bt/a-king-who-offered-his-people-a-genuine-partnership/

By Tashi Dema As Nishimizu wrote, “Fortunate are the people who beheld such a leader. Precious is th

A Fortress Built of Trust: His Majesty’s Gift of Enduring PeaceBy Khenrab NimaThe most powerful demonstration of this wa...
17/11/2025

A Fortress Built of Trust: His Majesty’s Gift of Enduring Peace

By Khenrab Nima

The most powerful demonstration of this was in 1985, when Bhutan hosted the peace talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil United Liberation Front. The choice of Thimphu was no accident. In a region fraught with tension, both sides sought a venue free from political agenda and a mediator whose integrity was beyond question. That they chose Bhutan was the world’s acknowledgment of the trust they placed in its King.

https://thebhutanese.bt/a-fortress-built-of-trust-his-majestys-gift-of-enduring-peace/



https://thebhutanese.bt/a-fortress-built-of-trust-his-majestys-gift-of-enduring-peace/

By Khenrab Nima In the theater of global affairs, peace is often a celebrated arrival, a hard-won re

Address

Lower Chubachu
Thimphu
529

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Bhutanese posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to The Bhutanese:

Share

Our Story

The Bhutanese Newspaper started on 21st February 2012. The paper from its inception has been known for bold and hard hitting journalism which has helped it to make significant national impact through an array of stories.

Follow us on Twitter as well at https://twitter.com/home .