|
|
|
| | | |
|
Objectives |
- To progressively increase exports during the plan period and thereby, reduce the deficit on the overall balance of trade.
- To create an open, liberal and stable enabling environment that is conducive for the growth of the private sector and trade.
- To promote the integration of the nation into the regional and international trading system.
- To promote competitive and fair trade practices within the country.
- To strengthen the institutional and professional capacity of the Department to fulfil its mandate.
|
| |
The Department of Industry is entrusted with the responsibility to foster sustainable industrial development in harmony with national objectives and priorities. Accordingly, its functions are promotional as well as regulatory by nature covering the industrial sector classified broadly under manufacturing and services. The Royal Government’s focus on industrialization through the private sector has magnified the facilitative role of the Department to create an enabling environment for industrial development and support private sector initiatives.
Regulatory services comprise the implementation of various rules and regulations governing the industrial sector to promote deeper integration and linkages to other sectors and avoid conflicts in development. In doing so, sectoral requirements are integrated to maintain coherence and compatibility with the priorities and objectives of other sectors.
The Department has three Divisions and a Project Unit to undertake programs and projects at the headquarters. Six Regional Trade & Industry Offices provide field support in the implementation of rules and regulations. |
| Vision |
| |
|
MISSION |
| To accelerate the pace of industrial development by creating an enabling environment, industrial infrastructure and increased private sector participation |
| |
|
- To create an enabling environment including industrial infrastructure.
- To foster sustainable and environment friendly industrial developments with broad based ownership and increase the sector’s contribution to GDP.
- To increase the export of industrial products.
- To continue private sector development and increase its involvement in industrial development.
- To increase employment opportunities in the industrial sector.
- To promote small, cottage and micro enterprises with focus on stimulating the growth of rural economy.
- To enhance the institutional and professional capability of the Department of Industry and its functional units.
|
| Units and Divisions under Department of Industry |
| | | |
|
Vision |
| The DoE envisions “becoming a dynamic, high performing government agency, that effectively promotes hydro power development to achieve economic self-reliance and that fosters the sustainable use of other modern forms of energy in the kingdom”. This vision is embedded in the broader national vision of increased level of industrialization, continued balanced growth of the economy, prosperity and sustainable development and therefore provides a sense of direction to the organization in perfect alignment with the development policies and philosophy of RGoB. It provides a big picture perspective of who they are as organization, what they do and where they are heading befitting the broad national framework of socio-economic development. |
| |
The mission of DoE is “to govern and facilitate integrated development of a sustainable and robust energy sector that drives the national economy and meets the demand for quality modern energy services of the Bhutanese society”. DOE wishes to achieve this mission by introducing reforms, formulating appropriate policies and regulations, preparing plans and programs for development and utilization of energy resources and strengthening institutional capacity. It can be seen as being derived from an overarching national vision aiming to promote socio-economic development of the nation through optimum development of the energy sector particularly the hydro-power, giving due regards to the principles of sustainability, protection of environment and conservation and rational use of natural resources. This can also be seen rooted in their expected roles and functions and policy directives in support of development of energy, increasing hydro-power production capacity, encouraging energy efficiency and accelerating renewable energy diffusion.
It emerges from the acknowledgement that energy sector plays a critical role in the overall development of the country by providing not only the energy supply to fuel industrial development and thereby creating access to employment and income but also by contributing to the national revenue from the sale of excess energy. Immense potential had been identified but only a very small percentage of the potential has been exploited so far. Hence the goals of reforming the energy sector for economy and efficiency, setting up of a appropriate regulatory framework, preparing and implementing appropriate plans and programs for development of hydro-power and other forms of energy and their utilization and development of the capacity of energy sector which are embedded in the mission are very contextual.
Altogether, this gives DoE an organizational identity and sense of business purpose to which they want to commit themselves and strive to pursue them in the days to come.
As per Power System Master Plan study that was updated in 2002, the country’s total hydropower potential has been stated as 30,000 MW, of which about 23,760 MW from 76 sites (which are above 10 MW capacity) has been identified as techno-economically feasible for development. However, the total hydropower developed as of April 2006 is only 468.698 MW which is mere 1.56% of the total potential. Even with the full commissioning of 1020 MW Tala hydroelectric project sometime by the end of 2006, the total hydropower that would have been developed would remain about 1488.698 MW, about 4.96% of the total potential. Therefore, there is lot to be still done to accelerate the development of hydropower potentials of the kingdom.
|
| Objectives |
| |
|
Core Activities |
In line with the proposed vision, mission and objectives, DoE is carrying out the following core activities:
- Formulate plans and prepare projects and programs documents for development of large, small, mini and micro hydro-power projects
- Formulate plans and prepare project and program documents for development of other renewable energy resources
- Formulate Projects and mobilize resources for rural electrification and non-economically viable projects
- Develop standards and codes for generation, transmission and distribution of electricity
- Conduct feasibility and field investigation survey for development of energy resources
- Conduct studies for adoption of fuel cell and other bio-fuel technologies
- Conduct Energy Modeling and Demand forecasting
- Coordination, expansion and up gradation of power systems including system analysis.
- Provide technical sanctions and techno-economic clearances for projects
- Collect, compile, analyze and disseminate quality Hydro-meteorological and sediment data and information
- Conduct climate study, modeling and weather forecasting
- Provide flood warning information
- Licensing of electricity service providers
- Monitor and Evaluate Projects and Programs
- Create awareness and encourage use of Energy Efficient Appliances
|
| |
Electricity was first introduced in Bhutan in 1966 with the installation of a 256 kW diesel generator in Phuentsholing. Bhutan’s first hydropower plant was commissioned in 1967 in Thimphu with an installed capacity of 360 kW. Consequently in 1968, Samtse, Sibsoo and Phuentsholing were provided with electricity imported from the West Bengal State Electricity Board of India. Samdrup Jongkhar, Sarpang and Gelephu were later electrified in the years 1969 to 1973 with electricity imported from the Assam State Electricity Board of India.
Between 1972 to 1976, several mini hydroelectric plants were constructed through grant assistance from the Government of India at Trashigang, Wangduephodrang, Gidakom and Mongar. The construction of the Chukha Hydroelectric plant started in 1978, which was built with assistance from the Government of India. In 1988, it was fully commissioned generating 336 MW. This was a major milestone in the sustainable development of the hydroelectric sector for economic development. This led to an increase in the availability of power in the western regions of Bhutan as well as increased the government’s gross revenue from the sale of surplus power to India.
During the period between 1986 to 1987, ten micro hydroelectric plants, ranging in size from 20 kW to 70 kW, were commissioned with Japanese assistance. During 1987 to 1988, two mini hydroelectric plants at Khaling (0.4 MW) and Chumey (1 MW) were commissioned with assistance from the Government of India. During 1991 to 1993, three micro hydroelectric plants of 200 kW each were commissioned in Tsirang, Dagana and Zhemgang with Japanese grant assistance.
|
 |
| |
| The Department of Geology and Mines (DGM) has two divisions – Geological Survey of Bhutan (GSB) and Mining Division. Prior to the establishment of the GSB in April 1981, most of the geologic mapping and mineral exploration activities in the country were undertaken by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) who continued their work concomitantly with the GSB until their exit in 2002. The Mining Division of the then Department of Trade and Mines was merged with Geological Survey of Bhutan on February 8, 1988 to create the present Department of Geology and Mines. In order to support two divisions, the department has other sections including Drilling, Laboratory (Geochemical and Geotechnical), and Survey & Cartography. |
| | | | | | | |
 |
|
|
|
