Bhutan is taking bold steps toward a sustainable energy future with its green hydrogen roadmap, targeting an electrolyzer capacity of 485 MW by 2050. The journey begins with the country’s first green hydrogen pilot plant at Gidawom near the Thimphu-Paro highway, starting at 1 MW and scaling up to 5 MW with on-site refueling facilities.
Backed by a USD 395 million strategy, the initiative aims to decarbonize Bhutan’s transport and industrial sectors. The government projects 2,700 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2030, increasing to 45,000 by 2050.
Green hydrogen—produced using renewable energy through electrolysis—offers a clean, low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels. Bhutan’s abundant hydroelectricity gives it a unique advantage in producing cost-effective hydrogen. Four key production sites—Jigmeling, Lhamoizingkha, Dhamdum, and Samrang—have been mapped for expansion.
According to Dechen Dema from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the initiative is expected to boost employment, reduce fossil fuel imports, and support clean industrial development—especially in high-energy sectors like steel and cement.
The Hydrogen Roadmap outlines three implementation phases, with over 70,000 tonnes of hydrogen production annually by 2050. Bhutan also sees potential in hydrogen exports, especially to neighboring markets like India, which could significantly improve its trade balance.
As the world turns to clean energy, Bhutan is carving its path as a regional leader in green hydrogen, aligning sustainability with economic opportunity.
