Monday, 31 July 2023, Bengaluru, India
As it attempts to switch from traditional energy sources to renewable alternatives, Bhutan focuses more on technology and innovation to modernize its energy industry. The underlying drivers driving this trend are the government’s commitment to sustainable growth and the need to reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels.
Bhutan has made significant progress in utilizing its abundant hydroelectric power potential in recent years. The country is a prime location for hydroelectric power facilities due to its rugged landscape and numerous rivers. Bhutan has built effective hydroelectric power plants with cutting-edge technologies, considerably increasing its ability to produce energy. These facilities have also allowed Bhutan to sell excess electricity to its neighbours, which has helped the country’s economy.
However, using hydroelectric electricity exclusively is not without its difficulties. Hydroelectric electricity generation has been impacted by the erratic water flow in rivers brought on by the changing climate patterns. Investigating more renewable energy sources, including solar and wind, has become necessary. These sources can now be efficiently and successfully harnessed because of technological improvements. As an illustration, photovoltaic cells have made it possible to convert sunlight into electricity, and wind turbines have been utilized to capture wind energy.
Bhutan‘s energy market has seen a significant transformation thanks mainly to innovation. To lessen the need for firewood and the consequences of indoor air pollution, the government has actively promoted clean cooking stoves in rural regions. In addition, introducing electric vehicles has increased the power demand, which has helped the renewable energy sector grow while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions.
International alliances have also helped to integrate technology and innovation into Bhutan’s energy market. Collaboration with global technological companies and research organizations has made it possible to transmit information and skills, which has improved the nation’s ability to utilize its renewable energy resources. Additionally, these collaborations have contributed financially to the execution of numerous renewable energy projects.
Several problems still need to be tackled despite these positive developments. The broad use of renewable energy technology is seriously hampered by its expensive initial cost. Additional barriers to fully adopting renewable energy sources include inadequate infrastructure and a lack of technical expertise. The government must increase funding for research and development, capacity building, and infrastructure construction to overcome these challenges.
In conclusion, the Bhutanese energy industry is fundamentally altering due to technology and innovation. By adopting renewable energy sources, the country is diminishing its reliance on imported fossil fuels and making significant strides towards achieving sustainable development objectives. Nevertheless, the government must confront existing challenges and foster an atmosphere that promotes innovation and the integration of cutting-edge technologies for this transition to thrive.
[Source of Information : energyportal.eu]
