Bhutan has launched its first fully solar-powered smart village in the eastern district of Trashigang. The initiative, supported by the Asian Development Bank and Bhutan’s Ministry of Energy, includes solar panels, Wi-Fi, smart meters, and water purification units.
The project not only brings electricity and internet to a previously off-grid community but also enables digital education and telemedicine. Bhutan aims to replicate this model in at least 50 more villages by 2030.
India and Nepal, also working on digital village projects, are closely observing Bhutan’s approach, particularly for adoption in the hilly terrains of Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and beyond.