Reliance Power Plans Overseas Gas Project Amid Bhutan Energy Talks
Reliance Power is ramping up its international footprint with a proposed 1.5 GW gas-based power project abroad while also exploring a joint venture with Bhutan to strengthen regional energy cooperation. The company has already placed bids in tenders across Kuwait, the UAE, and Malaysia as part of its push to expand clean and reliable gas-based generation infrastructure across Asia.
According to industry sources, Reliance Power has submitted bids for international tenders in key Gulf and Southeast Asian markets such as Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia. These countries have demonstrated robust demand for gas-fired baseload generation to support urbanisation, energy diversification, and decarbonisation targets. The company is reportedly leveraging its prior experience in domestic gas-based projects, as well as project management capabilities, to strengthen its credibility with overseas regulators and project partners. If successful, the 1,500 MW project would be among the largest international gas-based assets developed by an Indian private firm in recent years, indicating a shift toward energy export capacity among Indian utilities.
Parallel to this expansion, Reliance Power is engaged in discussions with the government of Bhutan for a power joint venture. Bhutan, with its vast hydro resources and growing domestic consumption, is looking to augment its grid with diversified supply including thermal and gas, to balance hydrological seasonality. A potential JV with Reliance Power could create a model of cross-border energy cooperation that blends India’s private-sector expertise with Bhutan’s renewable energy potential. The company’s strategic move comes at a time when gas is gaining renewed interest as a transition fuel in Asia. With coal phase-down commitments growing across the region, gas-based plants offer a cleaner, more flexible option to stabilise grids increasingly powered by solar and wind.
Experts suggest Reliance Power’s foreign foray could benefit from diplomatic goodwill in energy-deficit countries and multilateral financing opportunities, especially if the company aligns its projects with sustainability frameworks. Furthermore, participating in international tenders may offer exposure to infrastructure capital markets and enable technology collaborations with global OEMs. The company’s decision to engage with Bhutan also aligns with India’s broader neighbourhood energy diplomacy, aimed at creating a resilient South Asian power grid. Bhutan’s location and existing hydro connectivity with India can provide a platform for power trade, which may also include renewable-balancing gas assets in the near future.
