The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority (GMCA) has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Patel Greentech Private Limited, an Indian clean-energy company based in Gujarat, to establish a manufacturing and assembly facility in Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) on 2nd November.
The facility would produce battery energy storage systems (BESS), the containerised units that store electricity from solar, wind and hydropower plants.
The facility is planned in two phases, with a production capacity of up to 10 gigawatt-hours (GWh) a year.
It would be the first BESS manufacturing facility in Bhutan. Running on the Kingdom’s hydroelectric power, it would assemble battery modules and packs, fabricate storage containers, and integrate and test complete systems before shipping them to customers in Bhutan and the wider region.
“The signing marks a significant step in building a clean-technology manufacturing base in GMC,” said Seow Hiang Lee, Co-CEO of GMCA. “Battery storage is central to the global energy transition, and systems manufactured in GMC on Bhutan’s clean hydropower will carry a distinct advantage. We look forward to working with Patel Greentech Private Limited to create skilled jobs for Bhutanese and grow the local industry, in line with GMC’s vision for sustainable, high-value growth.”
“This is our starting point in GMC. Going forward, we will double down on our investments,” said Manimaran Krishnan, CEO of Patel Greentech Private Limited.
The two parties will now prepare a detailed project report and work towards a definitive agreement.
As the facility develops, it is expected to create skilled manufacturing jobs and open opportunities for local suppliers.
The LOI was signed in Gelephu a day after the city marked the raising of 108 Jangchub Chortens (stupas of enlightenment), a Royal initiative of His Majesty The King
