[ad_1]
Yangel Bin Laden
The village of Shansa in Lunana is expected to benefit from clean and reliable energy in August this year.
Currently, the village is installing solar energy systems for 10 households.
Shansa will be the second of 13 villages in Lunana to be electrified. Ramina, which is connected to the road, had water and electricity last year.
The Department of Energy and Natural Resources has found that providing hydroelectric power throughout Lunana is not technically feasible due to challenges with grid expansion. The department is currently exploring the use of solar energy systems as an alternative to hydroelectric power.
Raw materials for the solar system are flown in by helicopter to Shangsa in Lunana
The contract to install the solar system in Shangsa was signed last November. Underground cable laying, indoor wiring, ground levelling, and construction of the foundation and control room have been completed. The project is currently awaiting the supply of solar modules, cells and other components for installation.
Shansa is one of the most remote villages in Lunana. The village is located at an altitude of about 3,400 meters and is about eight days’ walk from the nearest road point, Tongshina in Rayagwag. Currently, Shansa, like other villages in Lunana, has only solar lighting to provide light for households and charge mobile phones.
“The people of Shansar are excited about the prospect of clean energy, and we are grateful for that,” Lunana Gup Kaka said. “However, electrification in Lunana has been slow, with only a few areas benefiting, only about 5% of the entire district.”
He said that while all 20 dzongkhags and 204 dzongs have electricity and road access, large parts of Lunana remain in darkness. “Electricity is urgently needed across Lunana as women and children face health problems due to exposure to firewood smoke and collecting firewood from the forest usually takes days of walking,” he added.
Bhutan’s electrification rate is close to 99.9%, but the Runana clan is still not connected to the power grid and is one of the most remote clans in Bhutan with no roads, except for the Lamina clan.
An official from the Ministry of Energy said the electrification of Lunana faced multiple challenges. He said the lack of roads made transportation expensive and required helicopter airlifts, which were not practical for transporting heavy objects.
In addition, helicopter services are costly and highly dependent on weather conditions, with limited operating hours each year. “Most solar panels need to be imported, and external factors cause delays. In addition, it is difficult to find local workers because many residents are engaged in cordyceps collection,” the official said.
Lamina’s 30 kilowatt peak (kWp) solar system will be off-grid, meaning it is not connected to the national grid. It will be equipped with a battery to store electricity for nighttime use.
“The energy department is continuously seeking funds from various funding agencies for electrification of the remaining 12 villages,” the official said.
Meanwhile, the energy department is exploring funding to develop a small hydropower plant in Lunana, which could reduce reliance on battery storage and improve reliability of power supply.
The solar energy system in Lamina is funded by Life Bhutan. The project cost Nu 19.78 million and was implemented by the Ministry of Energy.
Meanwhile, Tshojong Village, where the film was shot Yaks in the classroom After being shot, a 5 kWp off-grid solar power plant was acquired in 2022 with financial support from Carol Phelps and his wife.
[ad_2]
Source link
