Bhutan RRA Expert Consultation Workshop

Bhutan is endowed with several types of renewable energy resources, particularly small and large hydropower. While hydropower is likely to remain an important component of the energy sector and economy of Bhutan, the country has a strong potential to diversify its energy mix. Renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, and bioenergy can complement hydropower to cost competitively meet the rising energy demand (in both power and non-power sector applications), while having minimal environmental impacts, helping local industries and creating local jobs.

In this regard, the Department of Renewable Energy within the Ministry of Economic Affairs (DRE) in cooperation with IRENA recently initiated the Renewables Readiness Assessment (RRA) process with a view to support the country’s efforts in enabling the wider penetration of various renewable energy technologies. The RRA is country-led multi-stakeholder process with a holistic assessment of key conditions for renewable energy deployment, to come up with short- to medium-term actions and recommendations to overcome barriers. The RRA process relies on inclusive stakeholder consultations.

As part of this process, an Expert Consultation Workshop was jointly organised by DRE and IRENA on 25 December 2018 in Thimphu, Bhutan. During the workshop, IRENA experts presented the findings of the background research on the renewable energy sector in the country. The workshop also provided a platform to discuss the key issues and options with relevant national and international stakeholders. Outcomes of these discussions will provide substantive inputs for the preparations of the RRA report.

Presentations

• Global RE Trends — Prasoon Agarwal, IRENA
• The RRA Methodology — Anuar Tassymov, IRENA
• RRA Bhutan — Arslan Khalid, IRENA
• Diversification of Energy Supply — Satchi Satchi, DRE
• Long Term Climate Impacts on Hydropower in Bhutan — Tashi Dorji, ICIMOD
• Ecosystems Approach for Decentralised RE — Rachita Misra, Selco Foundation (Video — Unlocking Finance for Solar Home Systems in Tribal Communities
• Demand-Side Energy Management — Dawa Chhoredon
• Electrical Mobility in Himachal Pradesh — Dr R.N. Batta
• Renewable Energy Applications for End-Use Sectors in Nepal — R.P. Dhital