Bhutan forms ETF to fast track power projects

Thimpu: The government has set up an empowered task force (ETF) as a one-stop window to fast track and facilitate the goal of 10,000 MW by 2020.

“The ETF will have to decide on matters relating to environment, land, forestry, right of way, cultural and social impact, labour, immigration and customs, that may come in the way of the implementation of hydro projects,” said a senior official of the department of energy (DOE).

ETF would also be responsible for issuing all permits and clearances in a timely manner for all hydro projects and detailed project reports.

“The body will also ensure that all construction obligations and requirements in the bilateral agreement, to met by the government, are done,” said the official.

The task force will have to ensure timely availability of resources and facilities to be provided by the government to the projects. “It will also look into the cultural and social impacts of large scale influx of labour expected for construction and recommend to the government mitigation measures which, if needed, will be monitored by it.”

The Task Force will meet at least once every three months to review the progress of issuance of clearances, resources and facilities and take timely action on them. It will also have ad hoc meetings when necessary.

“Such a body is necessary to ensure that red tape does not tie up or delay the projects and everything can be fast tracked in an appropriate manner,” said the official.

The chairperson of the task force will be the minister for economic affairs, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk and the vice chairperson will be Deputy Minister Dasho Nado Rinchhen. It will also have the secretaries of the economic affairs, agriculture, labour, home, and finance ministries, National Land Commission, GNH commission, and the director general of the department of energy as member secretaries.

In the 2008-2009 budget, money has been given under GoI funds for updating the 4,060 MW Sunkosh detailed project report and Chamkarchu I and II with a feasibility study for Punatsangchu II.

DOE officials said that, currently both governments were looking to finalise the list of projects under 10,000 MW, which will be largely bilateral, and DOE was targeting the end of this year as the period to identify all project sites.

It has been estimated that around Nu 442 billion will be required in funds if Bhutan is to generate around 10,406 MW by 2020. So far, construction on the Punatsangchu I has already started with DPR nearing completion on Mangdechu and ongoing in the case of Punatsangchu II.