Publications

Feasibility of a biogas programme in Bhutan (2008).

This report assesses the feasibility of establishing and implementing a National Domestic Biogas Programme (NDBP) in Bhutan by relying on field visits, and meetings with government officials and households.

The general study findings indicated that a small NDBP would be feasible in Bhutan (20,000 plants). There were sufficient numbers of cattle for dung. Further, investment return on biogas in relation to Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), firewood, and electricity was considered financially beneficial. Another positive outcome was the high governmental interest in promoting and committing to the biogas programme. Given that collaboration with Renewable Energy Division was established, the Department of Livestock would be the most suitable implementation partner. Challenges that needed to be dealt with before establishing the programme were also evident. One such issue was the small size of the biogas sector in the country, which is likely to discourage private sector from involvement in plant construction. Further, biogas could not be produced everywhere in the country due to low temperature, irrespective of the sufficient number of cattle available. Construction and maintenance services would also be difficult as there are no motor roads to the scattered houses.

Based on the strengths and threats identified, recommendations for future steps in the realization of the
programme were designed. Some of them included the need for knowledge transfer from Nepal to Bhutan, as a similar biogas model has been promoted and proven to be successful in Nepal and in mountain regions. All other comprehensive recommendations can be found in the report.