Bhutan’s agriculture sector – one that employs 40% of the population - is confronted with significant climate-related challenges visible in terms of change in rainfall patterns and fast drying up of spring water sources (UNDP, 2023)[1]. Owing to this and other structural challenges, the sector’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been steadily declining, threatening the country’s self-sufficiency in staple crops.
In Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Pan (13 FYP), agriculture and livestock sector are prioritised as one of the growth drivers to enhance food and nutrition security, elevate farmers’ income, and increase the sector’s contribution to GDP by investing in improving irrigation and water supply through innovative solutions to improve farm productivity. However, only 20% of cultivable land is irrigated, highlighting a critical gap in agricultural productivity. Only a small portion is effectively utilised, primarily through outdated, open-channel, gravity-fed systems. These are highly vulnerable to climate variability, resulting in reduced crop yields, more fallow land, and increased reliance on food imports. The country’s mountainous terrain further complicates irrigation, often requiring water to be lifted from rivers at lower elevations to fields at higher altitudes – an energy-intensive and logistically complex task.
Given Bhutan’s abundant green energy resource, expanding irrigation and water supply infrastructure by harnessing renewable energy (RE)-powered irrigation solutions, supported by a solid governance structure and mechanism reflecting the local context, could play a transformative role in addressing these challenges. By using renewable energy solutions, for e.g. Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to pump water uphill, Bhutan can ensure year-round, reliable irrigation and water access, reduce labour burdens, especially on women, and enhance food security, income, and climate resilience. Further, deployment of RE-powered lift systems can potentially address drinking water challenges with appropriate treatments. It’s a game-changing intersection of technology, equity, and sustainability.
Challenges for cross-sectoral integration of RE-powered lift irrigation systems
Integrating renewable energy (RE)-powered lift irrigation systems into non-energy sectors such as agriculture requires strong collaboration and engagement across multiple agencies. These solutions are inherently complex and demand a comprehensive understanding of various interrelated factors – including supportive policies and regulations, the energy supply-demand landscape, hydrology and precipitation patterns, river systems, socio-economic and cultural contexts, climatic variability, performance of water supply systems, agricultural practices, electro-mechanical systems, market dynamics, market access, and environmental risks. In essence, it is a multidisciplinary endeavour that requires a coordinated and cross-sectoral approach.
Call for a cross-sectoral committee to advance the integrated energy-water-food nexus
Taking RE-powered irrigation solutions to a large scale – whether for agriculture or public water supply – further amplifies the complexity due to the involvement of multiple institutions with either diverse or overlapping mandates and governance demands.
To address this and guide the development of an integrated approach to mainstream the uptake of RE-powered lift irrigation in Bhutan, a project advisory committee (PAC) was established through the WERELIS–Bhutan project (Women Empowerment through Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Powered Decentralised Lift Irrigation Systems) supported by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Chaired by the director general of the Department of Energy, Royal Government of Bhutan, the seven-member committee includes senior-level representatives from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Water, the Department of Infrastructure Development, the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and ICIMOD. This committee provides strategic guidance and oversight for implementing RE-powered lift irrigation systems, such as the WERELIS Project, and ensures the development of an enabling cross-sectoral approach.
"Every agency has its own mandate, policy, and planning framework. The biggest challenge is the fragmentation of responsibilities and accountability. More often than not, this leads to bottlenecks in implementation. The PAC is a critical mechanism that can bridge these institutional silos"
states Karma Penjor Dorji, Director General, Department of Energy, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Bhutan
Learning visit: Solar-powered lift system at Lalitpur, Nepal
On 23 May 2025, the Project Advisory Committee (PAC) members visited the Thosne Khola rural solar drinking water project site at Konjyosom Rural Municipality, Lalitpur, Nepal implemented by Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC), Government of Nepal.
During the visit, the Bhutanese delegation explored how solar power is being effectively utilised in addressing community water supply systems in Nepal’s mid-hills. The team examined technical specifications and financing mechanisms that could inform similar implementations back home. The site visit aimed to showcase the potential of renewable energy solutions in addressing water challenges in Bhutan, both for drinking and irrigation, as a part of climate change adaptation efforts.
“The first thing that struck me about the irrigation system here is the dynamic head[2]. It’s about 400 metres, which is a significant height. That’s huge. In Bhutan, we have one irrigation system with a dynamic head of about 150 metres, and even with that, we’re still struggling to pump water effectively. It becomes technically challenging and economically unfeasible.
But after seeing the lift irrigation system here, I was impressed by how simple and efficient it is. Despite the large dynamic head, they’re able to pump water and integrate the system for both irrigation and drinking water supply.
Another thing that stood out to me was the community’s contribution to the project. I learned that the total cost was about 21 million NPR, and around 2 million of that came from the community itself. That’s a great initiative – when the community invests their own resources, especially money, it gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility towards the system,” shares Tenzin Drugyel, National focal point for irrigation, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Bhutan.
“The moment I saw this project site, I was immediately reminded of two locations in the east and two in the west of Bhutan where similar opportunities exist. There are many water bodies down in the gullies that can be harnessed and lifted to settlements on the mountain tops where people reside,” remarked Khandu Tshering, Principal Engineer, Irrigation Division, Department of Infrastructure Development, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Bhutan. “This project demonstrates proven renewable energy solutions that are technically sound, financially feasible, and hold strong potential for replication across Bhutan – provided there is effective coordination, integration, and support in design and financing mechanisms.”
“This field visit has been very enriching, especially because Bhutan and Nepal share similar geomorphological conditions. We are both dealing with the complexities of mountain ecosystems – steep terrain, high mountains, and deep valleys,” shared Kinzang Namgay, Deputy Chief Program Officer at the Department of Water, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Bhutan. “In such landscapes, solar-powered lift irrigation presents an important alternative for delivering water to rural communities living on mountain slopes. The project implemented here is highly replicable in Bhutan. If it works in Nepal, I believe it can work in Bhutan as well.” shares Kinzang Namgay, Deputy Chief Program Officer, Department of Water, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Bhutan.
“There are three key takeaways from today’s visit,” reflects Karma Penjor Dorji, Director General, Department of Energy, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Bhutan. “First is community engagement. When communities are involved right from the beginning of the project, we see better care and maintenance of the infrastructure, especially when ownership is transferred to them.
Second is capacity building. With proper training, communities can handle minor operations and maintenance issues on their own. This not only empowers them but also plays a critical role in the long-term sustainability of such projects.
Third is the importance of appropriate technology. We often design overly complex systems, and when the technology fails, the entire project can collapse. The technology should serve the community, not the other way around. Sustainability must be embedded as much in governance and community empowerment as it is in infrastructure, and in this scheme, I can clearly see these aspects being addressed.”
In Bhutan, the adoption of new technologies is guided by the country’s development philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), which emphasises sustainable, inclusive, and holistic growth. In the energy sector, this translates into a strong commitment to green and clean energy solutions. As Bhutan seeks to revitalise its agriculture sector and improve access to water amidst growing climate challenges, renewable energy-powered lift irrigation presents a viable and context-appropriate solution.
The project implemented in Thosne Khola, Nepal, offers valuable lessons on how such systems can be effectively utilised for both irrigation and drinking water supply. With strong cross-sectoral collaboration and context-specific adaptation, Bhutan is well-positioned to replicate and scale these innovations. Doing so will not only enhance water security and strengthen rural livelihoods but also contribute significantly to long-term climate resilience .
[1] United Nations Development Programme. Assessment of Climate Risks on Water Resources for National Adaptation Plan. UNDP Bhutan, 8 November 2023. https://www.undp.org/bhutan/publications/assessment-climate-risks-water-resources-national-adaptation-plan
[2] height that the water needs to be lifted from the source (like a river or well) up to where it’s used (like a tank or field).
