A consortium led by Lahmeyer International GmbH has begun work on updating the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and preparing the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the 770-MW Chamkharchhu I Hydropower Project in Bhutan.
The assignment, commissioned in February, is being carried out by Lahmeyer International in partnership with ERM‑Siam Co., Ltd. and Druk Consult International Pvt. Ltd..
The Chamkharchhu I project is planned in Zhemgang district and is designed as a run-of-river hydropower scheme. Key project components include a 108-m concrete gravity dam, a 19.2-km headrace tunnel, and an underground powerhouse with an installed capacity of 770 MW.
Under the contract, the consortium will review and update the project’s detailed design documentation and optimise hydrological, geological and structural elements. The work will also include preparation of tender-level engineering drawings and updating the design to comply with current engineering and regulatory standards.
The ESIA will assess potential environmental and social impacts of the project, identify associated risks, and propose mitigation measures in accordance with international standards.
The Chamkharchhu I assignment marks Lahmeyer International’s first hydropower project in Bhutan. The project forms part of Bhutan’s plans to expand hydropower generation and support national energy development.
