Juniper Green’s 100 MW Solar Project To Power Bhutan

Independent renewable energy power producer Juniper Green Energy has announced the commissioning of a 100 MW solar power project in India that will supply power to neighboring Bhutan. This project in India’s Rajasthan is Juniper’s maiden merchant plant.  

“Our first cross-border energy trade marks an important achievement in energy integration. This initiative facilitates regional energy security by providing power to key sectors,” said Juniper Green Energy CEO Naresh Mansukhani. 

The 100 MW project will supply 50% of the power generated to Bhutan under a cross-border power agreement during the winter months. This agreement, explains Juniper, enables Bhutan to directly import power from an Indian generator under a bilateral trade framework. 

Bhutan is already a net carbon-negative country having relied on hydropower for its electricity needs for ages. During winters with little rainfall, the country relies on energy imported from India as hydropower plants don’t function to their optimum. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Bhutan imports around 300 million units/year from its neighbor.  

Bhutan now seeks to diversify the country’s energy generation mix, and also bring down the cost of electricity with renewable energy. Cross-border electricity supply agreements, like for the 100 MW Juniper project, help it in the process.  

Of late, Bhutan has been collaborating with Indian companies to boost its clean energy portfolio. India’s Tata Power is exploring 5 GW clean energy development in the country, including 500 MW of solar PV, with Druk Green Power Corporation. Even Reliance Infrastructure Limited is collaborating with Druk Holding and Investment for a 500 MW solar power plant (see Asia Pacific Solar PV News Snippets: ClearVue Partners Qatar & Murdoch Universities & More).   

Meanwhile, Bhutan is getting ready to bring the Asian Development Bank (ADB) supported Sephu Solar Plant online this year with up to 23 MW installed capacity. It will become the 1st commercial source of renewable energy in the country’s history.