On the 14th of May 2022, Her Majesty the Queen Mother Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck and Her Royal Highness Ashi Eeuphelma Choden Wangchuck graced the Inauguration of the Renovated RENEW Building and the Launch of the Solar Power Plant (Photovoltaic Plant).

The Renewing RENEW – Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Project succeeded in modernizing the RENEW building to save energy, thus reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Methods such as installation of double-glazed windows and insulation of the entire building with rock wool helps in conserving energy inside the building, and in bringing down the energy consumption by around 40%. The final phase of the project included the installation of a 42 KW/h Grid Tied Solar Photovoltaic on the roof, which produces carbon-free green electricity. The photovoltaic plant will produce approximately 65,000 kW/h of green energy annually for an expected life span of 30 years.

The project was completed by PRuDent (Project for Rural Development) between 2020 and 2021 with financial support from the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in collaboration with the German Sparkassenstiftung for International Cooperation. The B&C Foundation, a partner organization of the Gyalyum Charitable Trust, also funded the project.

The RENEW building is an exhibit for energy efficiency and displays the opportunities that energy efficiency and photovoltaic systems offer for the future of Bhutan. It serves as an example to promote green energy, sustainable development and eco-friendly modernization, in the country. The energy efficiency and solar project emphasizes His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck’s vision for Bhutan “to seize the opportunity and enhance the capabilities of our people, and strengthen the economic and governance framework to harness the potential ushered in by these rapid and dynamic technological changes” (excerpt from His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck’s address to the nation during the National Day, 17th December 2021).