Development & Construction Department

Development and Construction Department (D&CD) under Transmission Wing (TW) is responsible for construction of high voltage (66 kV and above) transmission lines, substations and any associated infrastructures in BPC. The construction works undertaken are mostly for network expansion through BPC’s investment plan or deposit work from hydroelectric power projects. Network expansions are associated with grid extension or up-gradation work to provide reliable and adequate power and also for export of surplus power to India. D&CD is mainly responsible for award of work, monitoring of progress, supervision and quality control. The construction works are executed by engaging both local and international (mostly from India) contractors. Consultancy services from firms like POWERGRID and WAPCOS are sought in design, engineering and monitoring especially for construction 400 kV transmission line. Consultants are also mandated to help develop in-house expertise in design and monitoring through close interaction and training both at site and consultants home. Project offices headed by Superintending Engineer (SE) or Senior Project Manager (SPM) are created on a project base for better co-ordination and management of progress and quality under D&CD. D&CD has a staff of 133 and executes around Nu. 14 billion worth of projects.

The present set up of D&CD is as follows:

At present, D&CD is executing the following works. Some of the works are in the completion stage and some have been recently awarded:

The works are monitored through Monthly Progress Review Meeting with the contractor at Project Level and Quarterly Progress Review Meeting at Head Office Level, which is organized by Transmission Wing.

As per the Investment Plan, the following projects are in immediate pipeline:

a)      400 kV D/C Punatsangchhu II – Jigmeling transmission line;

b)      220 kV substations in Dagapela and Sunkosh;

c)      220 kV D/C transmission line from Dagapela to Sunkosh; and

d)     132 kV transmission line from Motanga to Nganglam.

The construction of the Power Infrastructures especially the HV transmission lines are facing major challenges to obtain the easement and public consensus. Further, the establishment of community forests, although done with nobel objective to protect environment, is a huge challenge for BPC as it is taking very long process and time for obtaining clearances for construction of Power Infrastructures through the community forests. The difficult and rugged terrain of Bhutan is also a great challenge to complete the works in scheduled time. The shortage of the skilled manpower in Bhutan is a concern as most of the workers have to be sourced from India.