Bhutan's domestic hydro power needs are small. But there are large electricity markets in Bihar, Orissa and West Bengal, and a developing one in Bangladesh, which Bhutan can capture.
The four major rivers of Bhutan from west to east, are the Torsa, Sunkosh, Wangchu and the Manas. The four rivers have a total energy generation potential of 40.4 billion kWh. In addition, micro and mini projects on the smaller rivers and minor tributaries could contribute as much as one billion kWh.
At present, the domestic market for electricity is underdeveloped; the quantity of electricity consumed in 1987 was 70million kWh. It has not increased significantly even after the Chukha Hydel Project (which is on the Wangchu) lowered the electricity price from IRs 0.70 to 0.40 per kWh. Because the domestic electricity consumption is unlikely to grow substantially, Bhutan's prospects for development are not commensurate with its generation potential. Bhutan would do well, therefore, to consider the markets in India and Bangladesh when planning its hydro-power development.
POTENTIAL MARKETS