Agency: After years of anticipation and uncertainty, the Sunkosh hydropower project is back in the spotlight, with renewed momentum and strategic alignment under the country’s long-term infrastructure vision.
With an estimated installed capacity of 4,060 megawatts (MW) and a projected cost of over Nu 323 billion (USD 3.8 billion), the project is being repositioned as a cornerstone of Bhutan’s future in regional renewable energy.
During the 18th Meet-the-Press session held on 1st August 2025, Director of the Department of Geology and Mines, Phuntsho Namgyal, shared that a comprehensive reassessment of the project is currently underway.
This includes updated hydrological studies, revised cost estimates, socio-environmental impact assessments (SEIA), and financial feasibility reviews to ensure the project’s viability in today’s dynamic economic and climate context.
Originally conceptualized by India’s Central Water Commission (CWC), the Sunkosh project’s Detailed Project Report (DPR) was completed in 1995 and later updated by THDC India Ltd. in 2012. The DPR itself needs to be updated. The turning point came with Bhutan’s evolving infrastructure strategy, the government’s 10X National Economic Vision, and the establishment of the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) which is expected to play a key role in mobilizing investment and logistical support for mega-projects like Sunkosh.
