The project/complex is located on Sankosh river near village Kerabari of Sarpang district in Southern Bhutan. The project is approachable by road diverting from NH-31C at Barobisa in West Bengal. The nearest airport is in Bagdogra near Siliguri (India), which is about 300km away from Project site.
THDCIL had submitted updated DPR of Sankosh HEP considering Rock-fill Main dam option to MoP, MEA, CEA and CWC in April-09.
CWC suggested that the possibility of Concrete Dam be explored for better handling of sediment as also keeping longevity of Dam in view. RGoB requested that sediment studies be conducted.
DPR preparation work for optimized Sankosh project (2585 MW) has also been completed and DPR has been submitted to CEA and CWC on 27th Aug-12.
Sankosh Main Dam Project:
Installed Capacity=2500 MW, Annual Energy=5949.05 MU (design energy)
Sankosh Regulating Dam Project:
Installed Capacity=85 MW, Annual Energy=416.34 MU (design energy)
A first round discussion on the implementation of Sankosh project was held at Thimphu, Bhutan between RGoB and GOI on 19.09.18.
JS(Hydro), MoP and JS(North), MEA, GOI along with officials of THDCIL and CEA participated in the discussions with officials of RGoB.
THDC made a detailed presentation on the optimized DPR of Sankosh HEP and highlighted the studies carried out for optimizing the viability of the project.
JS(Hydro), MoP opined that Sankosh is a very good project and THDC has carried out extensive work for preparation of DPR of Sankosh Project. JS (Hydro) emphasized the need for new IG Model to be adopted for Sankosh implementation for effective monitoring and accountability in view of delays observed in Punatsangchhu-I and II.
RGoB agreed on the modified IG model for more efficient and effective management for Sankosh implementation.
The 3rd round of meeting was held on 21.10.19 at Thimpu, Bhutan between MOP, MEA, THDC and officials of RGoB on the implementation model of Sankosh HEP, Bhutan. This meeting was attended by Hon’ Ambassador of Indian Embassy along with JS(Hydro), JS(North) and CMD of THDC.
GOI again emphasized on the benefits of institutional back up of Indian PSU as PIA which will be instrumental in curbing time and cost overrun of the project. The joint MD will be from Bhutan in PIA and the representation of Bhutanese will be of the order of 70-80% in the PIA with preference of Bhutanese at lower levels (90-95%).
On the issue of royalty energy to Bhutan, CMD, THDC informed that a joint team of officials of CEA, CWC, THDC and RGoB under the chairmanship of Member (Hydro), CWC worked together on the viability of Sankosh Project from 11.01.12 to 24.01.12 at CWC, New Delhi. In this study, the project components were optimized. The Project was found viable considering nil free power and zero mandatory alternate Tax and levelized tariff was worked out to be Rs 3.29 based on CERC norms. THDC made a detailed presentation on the outcome of this study in the next 8th EJG held on February 3, 2012 at New Delhi. EJG approved the studies and directed THDC to complete the DPR at earliest. Based on these parameters, DPR OF Sankosh HEP was approved by CEA.
Discussions at various level at MOP and MEA, GoI is being held for finalization of modified IG model for more efficient and effective management for Sankosh HEP with emphasis on benefit of Institutional back up of Indian PSU a PIA.
