Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has announced the successful commissioning of two units of the 6×170-MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project (PHEP-II) in Bhutan.
Executed as part of a bilateral agreement between the Government of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan, PHEP-II is a greenfield hydropower project located in the Wangdue district of Western Bhutan.
The Francis turbine installed in the project is designed to operate at a rated head of 241m — the highest for any Francis-type hydro turbine in Bhutan, BHEL said in a release, adding that on commissioning of all six units, the expected annual power generation will be 4,357 Gwh.
Unit 1 and 2 of the 6×170-MW PHEP-II were synchronised on December 16 and 17, 2024, respectively. A ceremony marking Bhutan’s National Day was held at the project site on December 17, 2024, which was graced by His Excellency Lyonpo Gem Tshering, Minister of Energy & Natural Resources for the Royal Government of Bhutan and Chairman of PHPA-II.
Scope of work
BHEL’s scope in PHEP-II comprises design, manufacture, supply, installation and commissioning of electromechanical works for 6×170-MW vertical Francis turbines and matching synchronous generators, SCADA system, generator transformers, shunt reactor, bus-duct, pothead yard along with associated auxiliaries.
The equipment has been supplied by BHEL’s units at Bhopal, Jhansi, Rudrapur and Bengaluru. Erection and commissioning on site was carried out by the company’s Power Sector-Eastern Region division, Kolkata.
BHEL in Bhutan
BHEL has executed major projects like 4×84-MW Chukha, 4×15-MW Kurichhu, 6×170-MW Tala and 4×180-MW Mangdechhu in Bhutan till date. With the commissioning of these two units at PHEP-II, BHEL’s contribution to the total installed capacity in Bhutan now stands at nearly 89 per cent. BHEL is also currently executing an order for 6×200-MW Punatsangchhu-I HEP, in addition to PHEP-II, in Bhutan.
Global hydropower portfolio
BHEL has successfully executed over 3.8 GW of hydropower projects abroad with more than 2.8 GW hydropower projects under execution. In Nepal, for instance, BHEL is executing the 4×225-MW Arun-3 HEP and 2×20 MW Rahughat HEP in Nepal.
Also read: BHEL: Order inflow up 23 per cent in H1FY25
Featured photograph (source: phpa1.gov.bt) relates to PHEP-I and is for representation only
