Bangladesh offered to set up hydropower projects in Bhutan

Bangladesh could set up hydropower plants under joint venture arrangement in Bhutan and buy back power for its own use, according to the Ambassador of Bhutan in Bangladesh.

"We have studied that Bhutan has the potential to generate as much as 30,000 megawatts (MW) of hydropower," Dasho Jigme Tshultim was quoted by The Financial Express as saying on Thursday.

The Bhutanese ambassador said his country is very much interested in developing a regional power grid so that it can effectively and meaningfully contribute to the economic development of its neighbors.

The envoy hinted that New Delhi's recent move to allow Thimbu use Indian corridors to do trade with Bangladesh was an indication that India would be lenient to Bangladesh's plea for using its land for import of power from Bhutan.

India has invested in a number of hydropower projects in Bhutan to feed its grid. It would buy around 1,000 MW of power from Bhutan when the Tala hydropower project will start operation next year.

Source: Xinhua