Inauguration of renewable energy-powered lift irrigation pilot systems under the WERELIS project

Organisers: Department of Energy, Royal Government of Bhutan, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada

About the event

The ‘Women Empowerment through Renewable Energy-powered Lift Irrigation Systems (WERELIS)’ project, implemented by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in partnership with the Department of Energy (DoE), Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR), Royal Government of Bhutan, with financial support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, will organise the ‘Inauguration of the renewable energy-powered lift irrigation pilot systems’ on 17 August 2026 in Tempakha, Punakha Dzongkhag, Bhutan. The event will celebrate the successful completion and commissioning of two solar-powered lift irrigation pilot systems in Humpathang (Nidupchu Chiwog) and Tempakha (Bhumtakha–Tempakha Chiwog) under Chhubu Gewog, Punakha Dzongkhag, the joint efforts of project partners and local communities and the formal handover of the systems and associated operational assets to the Water User Associations (WUAs) and the beneficiary. The inauguration will also be a chance to showcase the role of renewable-energy-powered irrigation in boosting climate-resilient agriculture, driving women’s empowerment, and presenting scalable options for mountain communities.

Objectives

The inauguration event aims to:

• Officially inaugurate the renewable energy-powered lift irrigation pilot systems in Humpathang and Tempakha.
• Celebrate the success of the collaboration between the Royal Government of Bhutan, ICIMOD, IDRC, local governments, and beneficiary communities.
• Formally handover the completed pilot systems and associated operational assets to the Water User Associations (WUAs) and the beneficiary.

Expected outcomes

The event is expected to:

• Formally inaugurate the two-pilot renewable energy-powered lift irrigation systems.
• Transfer ownership and operational responsibility to the Water User Associations.
• Strengthen partnerships among national institutions, local governments, and communities.
• Increase visibility of renewable energy-powered irrigation as an innovative and climate-resilient solution for mountain agriculture.
• Reinforce the project’s commitment to promoting women’s leadership and participation in renewable energy systems.

Background

Agriculture remains one of the most important livelihood sources in Bhutan, yet water scarcity and increasing climate variability continue to threaten agricultural productivity, particularly in mountainous areas where irrigation remains limited. Currently, only 20% of the country’s arable land is irrigated. Most traditional irrigation systems are open channel, and gravity-fed (system that uses the natural force of gravity to move water from a higher elevation to a lower point) operating seasonally, and are particularly vulnerable to climate change. The country’s mountainous terrain often needs to be lifted from low elevations. This presents logistical challenges but also opportunities for innovation. Renewable energy-powered lift irrigation systems provide an innovative and sustainable solution by utilising clean energy to lift water from rivers and streams for irrigation, thereby improving water access, enhancing agricultural productivity, and strengthening climate resilience.

Recognising the importance of integrating renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and gender equality, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), in partnership with the Department of Energy (DoE), Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR), Royal Government of Bhutan, is implementing the Women Empowerment through Renewable Energy-powered Lift Irrigation Systems (WERELIS) project with financial support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada. The WERELIS project provides decision-makers with tools to deploy these systems at scale, build technical capacity to integrate gender considerations into the approach, and develop a potential business model for broader adoption of the technology.

The project aims to demonstrate how renewable energy-powered irrigation systems can simultaneously improve irrigation access, strengthen livelihoods, and enhance women’s participation and leadership in renewable energy systems. Through a participatory planning process involving national agencies, local governments, communities, and end-users, two pilot solar-powered lift irrigation systems have been successfully established in Humpathang and Tempakha.

About the pilot systems

The two pilot systems, an individually owned system in Humpathang and a community-managed system (eight households) in Tempakha, were developed through a systematic planning process involving the identification of potential intervention areas through the productive use of renewable energy (PURE) platform, followed by pre-feasibility assessments, multi-criteria prioritisation, and detailed feasibility studies.

The pilots demonstrate innovative approaches to utilising solar energy to lift water for irrigation in water-scarce mountain communities. Beyond improving irrigation access, the project has emphasised women’s participation throughout planning, implementation, capacity building, and local governance, contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable renewable energy development.

The pilot systems are expected to:

• Improve reliable irrigation access for beneficiary households.
• Enhance agricultural productivity and climate resilience.
• Reduce dependence on fossil-fuel-powered pumping systems.
• Strengthen community ownership and local management through Water User Associations.
• Demonstrate a scalable model for renewable energy-powered irrigation in Bhutan.