Bhutan energy storage battery usage

Solar Energy According to the Renewable Energy Resource Assessment 2015, Bhutan has a theoretical potential of 3,706,328 MW for solar photovoltaic power generation based on solar irradiance.

Bhutan's energy supply primarily relies on electricity, fuel-wood, coal, and diesel. Electricity is the largest contributor, with a shift towards increased usage over the years. Fuel-wood usage has decreased, while bio-gas, solar energy, and limited-scale wind energy have gained traction as alternative sources.

Thermal energy consumption in the Industry is dominated by coal, which is a vital input for many industries in Bhutan. However, liquid fuels such as diesel, kerosene oil, and furnace oil account for less than 6 percent of the industry's thermal energy mix.

The majority of this capacity is derived from hydropower plants, accounting for 2,334.1 MW, including 8.1 MW from other embedded-hydro sources. In addition to hydropower, the country relies on diesel generators owned by Bhutan Power Corporation (BPC), contributing 8.93 MW to the overall capacity.

During the year 2022, BPC serviced 232,465 customers, an increase of 4.7 percent from the previous year (BPC, 2023). The Building Sector in Bhutan consumed a total of 502.44 GWh of electricity in 2022, accounting for 14.5 percent of the country's total electricity consumption (3,465.95 GWh).

While electricity serves as the primary energy source in Bhutan, the reliance on coal and petroleum products highlights a significant dependence on fossil fuels to meet the country's energy needs. Energy efficiency measures and exploration of sustainable alternatives are essential in the Industry Sector to mitigate this reliance.