Scaling re-powered lift irrigation in Bhutan: Opportunities, challenges and policy priorities

This policy brief explores the potential to scale renewable energy-powered lift irrigation in Bhutan to strengthen agricultural productivity, water security, and climate resilience. Drawing on pilot demonstrations and technical assessments, it identifies key financial, institutional, technical, and gender-related barriers to adoption. The brief highlights the potential to support irrigation across 62,403 acres, reduce annual carbon emissions by approximately 67,779 tonnes, and generate around 15,000 green jobs. It recommends blended financing, public–private partnerships, hybrid solar–grid systems, stronger institutional coordination, and gender-inclusive capacity building to enable sustainable, affordable, and locally managed irrigation solutions.