Electrifying Phobjikha, Bhutan
- © ADA
Measures have been taken not to disturb the black-necked crane habitat.
The two-foot deep trenches, stretching for kilometres in most parts of Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang, mean the valley will get electricity from under the ground and the habitat of the endangered black-necked cranes that roost there in winter will not be disturbed.
About 800 homes in the valley have been using solar panels, which were distributed at a subsidised rate from the royal society for the protection of nature (RSPN), for several years now.
Needs for lighting
But solar only met the needs for lighting. It could not be used for cooking or operating electrical appliances. So they asked for electricity. "Electricity will cut down our firewood consumption," said Phobjikha gup Gem Phub. "We'll still keep the solar panels as a back up when the power lines go off.
As the winter habitat of the endangered black-necked crane, electrifying the locality was against the conservation rules; and also because the valley was far from the grid. The nearest sub station is in Lobesa, Punakha.
Austrian power
But with the aid of 1.6M euro from the Austrian government, equivalent to Nu 92.8M, electrification works on the Nu 134.22M budget project started in March this year.
11 KV power cables will go into the trenches dug up in the core crane habitat areas. "In the peripheral areas, which have thick forest, the connection would be overhead," said an official from Bhutan power corporation.
According to Bhutan power corporation's general manager for distribution and customer services department, Kinley Dorji, even the overhead transmission is different from the transmission lines in other places. "In Gantey and Phobjikha, we won't have to cut down trees to have the 12 m corridor, which is needed for bare conductor lines," he said.
This, according to the general manager, is because BPC is using a high voltage aerial bundle conductor cable, which is insulated. "You won't see any transmission towers as we are going to paint it green to camouflage it," he said.
The total project area covers 165 square kilometers and work on the 33/11 kV main sub-station at Tabading is supposed to be completed by August. "It got delayed because most expatriate workers didn't want to stay there during winter," Kinley Dorji said.
"By this October, we'll be able to provide electricity to about 400 households," the general manager said. Gantey goenpa lhakhang and nearby areas to be connected first.
According to the general manager, Bhutan power corporation procured all the materials like poles, conductors and cables, though the donor funds comes phase-wise over the period of three months.
Bhutan power corporation officials say that, by 2011 end, the 800 households in valley will be lit up.
Initially, the project was planned as a totally underground electrification programme, but changes were made because of the huge cost.
Article by Tashi Dema
