32MW Yungichhu Hydropower Project is one of the three pioneering projects launched under the first phase of the Small Hydropower Projects initiated by the Royal Government of Bhutan to accelerate post pandemic economic recovery, generate employment and bring tangible economic benefits to the people at the grassroot level. The project includes a 1800m excavation of HRP Tunnel, 1390m trench excavation for penstock, construction of Powerhouse.

Yungichhu hydropower project is a run-off the river scheme planned across Yungichhu. The project is located near Onngar Village in Maedtsho Gewog about 34 km away from Mongar-Lhuentse national highway. Yungichhu is a tributary of Kurichhu which in turn is a tributary of Drangmechhu, the biggest river basin of Bhutan. The catchment area at the intake site is 125 sq.km and the river joins another tributary, Wambur at an elevation of about 1176 masl.

The intake is located at an elevation of 1706m and powerhouse is located at an elevation of 1200m at the confluence of Yungichhu and Wambur. The intake and powerhouse sites are 12 km away from the Gortshom Gewog center. The project sites are accessible via road from India border towns through four alternative routes; Nganglam, Samdrup Jongkhar, Gelephu and Phuentsholing with the shortest being 217 km from Nganglam-Gyalpoizhing for the transportation of equipment, construction materials, etc.

Scope of Work:

• Weir and Intake: A raised weir with a side intake to divert water.
• Desilting Basins: Surface desilting basins to remove sediments.
• Water Conduction System: Comprising 3,626 meters of surface (GRP) pipe, 2,465.26 meters of underground (GRP) pipe, 226.34 meters of underground steel ferrule, 74.5 meters of penstock drop shaft, 138 meters of underground penstock steel ferrule, and 1,324.85 meters of surface penstock pipe.
• Powerhouse: Surface Power House Located at the confluence of Yungichhu and Wambur rivers.
• Access roads, bridges, and temporary facilities for construction work.

• Client Name:
  Druk Hydro Energy limited (DHyE)
• Contracter Name:
  Rigsar Construction Private Limited
• Funded By:
  DHyE
• Location:
  Meatsho Gewog, Lhuntse
• Contract Amount:
  1616.89 Millions
• Contract Duration:
  31 Months
• Status:
  In Progress