The broad scope of the consultancy contract is to carry out an ESIA of the proposed project covering economic, social and environmental aspects, identify both the positive and negative impacts, assessment of impacts with its economic evaluation and prepare an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to mitigate the adverse effects, including the socio-economic aspects, and a Resettlement & Rehabilitation (R&R) Plan for project affected people as well as an Environmental Flow (E-flow) Assessment. The environmental and social assessment is to be conducted as part of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) in line with the applicable requirements of the Government of Bhutan and international best practices (World Bank and the Asian Development Bank). The ESIA is to be completed within 15 months from contract signing.
To ensure energy security and meet growing power supply requirements resulting from the increased pace of socio-economic development of the country, the Department of Energy (DoE) under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR) has prioritized the preparation of the DPR of the 740 MW Gongri hydropower project with integration of the 1800 MW Jerichhu pumped-storage project, and in October 2022 accorded approval to DGPC to carry out the DPR studies for both projects.
The projects are planned in the Drangmechhu river basin, the biggest river system in Bhutan. The Gongri run-of-the-river project with pondage is planned on the Gongri river, one of the basin’s two major rivers, on the boundary of the Trashigang and Mongar dzongkhags (districts), four km downstream of the confluence of the Gongri and Sherichhu rivers. The main project components include a concrete gravity dam with a maximum height above deepest foundation of 177 m, which would impound a reservoir with a gross storage of 427 x 106 m3 and a live storage capacity of 351 x 106 m3, as well as a powerhouse to be equipped with four 185 MW vertical Francis turbines. The Gongri project envisages an installed capacity of 740 MW with an annual generation of 2721 GWh, and firm power of 129 MW.
A pre-feasibility study of Gongri, carried out by the DoE and submitted in February 2022, assessed the project to be techno-economically viable considering its geology and the potential for its integrated development as a pumped storage facility, with its reservoir to be utilized as the lower reservoir.
The Jeri pumped storage facility, which would be the country’s first, is planned in Trashigang Dzongkhag on the river Jerichhu, which is the left bank tributary of Gongri. A reconnaissance study, which was conducted by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the Power System Master Plan (PSMP) 2040 found the project to be technically viable. The open-loop pumped storage project, with a maximum capacity of 1800 MW, is designed with inflow connected to the upper reservoir and a tailrace tunnel connected to the lower dam, which would be part of the Gongri hydropower project. The upper dam is planned as a concrete gravity type with a height of 87 m from the deepest foundation level.
Detailed scope of consulting services is provided in the Terms of Reference. A consulting firm will be selected under Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) procedure as described in the RFP documents.
The RFP documents are available for download from the DGPC website: www.drukgreen.bt
Proposals shall be submitted in written form to the address below (in person, by mail or by e-mail) by 15.00 hours (Bhutan Standard Time) on 6 January 2025. Bidders have the option of electronic submission of their proposals which must be submitted in pdf format and password protected. The password for the proposals shall be shared by the bidders on the day of the opening of the proposals before 15.00 hours.
Clarifications on bidding documents may be obtained from: Sonam Choden, Manager, Contracts Section, Projects and Contract Department, Druk Green Power Corporation Limited, Post Box No. 1351, Motithang, Thimphu, Bhutan; Tel.: +975 2 339875; Email: s.choden272@drukgreen.bt.
