Bhutan Ties Up With India’s Reliance For 500 MW Solar Power Plant

Indian conglomerate Reliance Infrastructure Limited is collaborating with Bhutan government’s commercial and investment arm Druk Holding and Investment Ltd (DHI) for a 500 MW solar power plant in the country’s upcoming Gelephu Mindfulness City. On completion, this solar energy installation will be one of the largest of its kind in the country.

This capacity is planned to be established as 2 projects of 250 MW each over the next 2 years. It will be realized by the duo through a 50:50 joint venture (JV) with Reliance participating through a new flagship company for investment in the clean and green energy sector of Bhutan, Reliance Enterprises Private Limited (REPL).

“Jointly promoted by Reliance Infrastructure Ltd. and Reliance Power Ltd., Reliance Enterprises will focus on enhancing sustainable energy solutions and implementing smart distribution and metering systems throughout Bhutan. This initiative underscores Reliance Group's long-term commitment to Bhutan and its renewable energy landscape,” stated Reliance Group.

Land for the project is already earmarked. Currently, technical experts from both the companies have teamed up with external consultants to conduct site assessments and technical studies. Gelephu Mindfulness City is a special administrative zone in the world’s 1^st carbon-negative country.

Reliance also called it the single largest investment in Bhutan’s renewable energy sector and the largest foreign direct investment (FDI) by an Indian company in the Asian nation.

Additionally, Reliance Power Ltd. and Druk Holding have also joined hands for a 770 MW run-of-the-river hydropower project.

“The partnership between Reliance Enterprises and Druk Holding leverages the strengths of both organizations in the areas of green energy and development. We are pleased to be partnering with Reliance and together we are committed to delivering world-class clean energy projects that will benefit both India and Bhutan,” said Druk Holding and Investments' CEO Ujjwal Deep Dahal.

At the end of 2023, Bhutan's total operational renewable energy capacity was over 2.33 GW, and the share of solar PV was only 1 MW, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). 

Reliance Group is led by Anil Ambani, the younger brother of Asia’s richest person Mukesh Ambani who is the chairman of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), which is getting into vertically integrated solar PV manufacturing with GW-scale plans (see India PV News Snippets: RIL’s Solar PV Giga Complex To Start Operations By 2024-End & More).