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The International Solar Alliance (ISA) has committed a grant between USD 200,000 to 300,000 to Bhutan to support the development of solar technology in the country. This funding will facilitate the establishment of a Solar Technology Application Resource Centre (STAR C) at the College of Science and Technology in Phuentshogling. The initiative marks a significant development since Bhutan joined the ISA in October 2022.
STAR C is designed to become a leading hub for solar research, development, and application in Bhutan, capitalizing on the region’s abundant sunlight. The centre will focus on testing solar technologies, setting standards for solar products, and providing training for technicians. This aligns with Bhutan’s goals to bolster its solar capacity, especially given its status as a net importer of electricity during the winter months.
The project is part of a broader collaboration under a two-year Country Partnership Agreement signed in April 2024 between the ISA and Bhutan’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, along with the Royal University of Bhutan. This agreement outlines plans to enhance the deployment of solar technologies across the country.
Ajay Mathur, Director General of the ISA, emphasized Bhutan’s pivotal role in the alliance, highlighting the potential for solar energy to meet domestic needs and boost electricity exports. Additionally, the ISA will provide an extra USD 50,000 to Bhutan for the installation of solar-powered cold storages in Paro and Zhemgang, enhancing food preservation capabilities in these areas.
This collaboration aims to advance Bhutan’s energy security and transition to renewable energy, in line with ISA’s global mission to spur solar investments worth one trillion US dollars by 2030 for a carbon-neutral future. |
