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 will be jointly organized by DRE and IRENA on 25 December 2018 in Thimphu, Bhutan. During the workshop, IRENA experts will present the findings of the background research on renewable energy sector of the country. The workshop will also provide 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.