Background Material on Small Hydro

7/28/2019 Background Material on Small Hydro

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BACKGROUND MATERIAL: SMALL HYDRO

Introduction

Among the renewable energy resources, water provides the possibility of continuous supply of energywithout the need for storage. There are various factors that must be considered in choosing anappropriate site, which if suitably done, the extraction of energy from rivers can be madeeconomically viable, especially to the rural communities. Historically, the tendency has been to damrivers for large-scale electricity production. Recent trends suggest that small hydro systems will beable to provide adequate amount of sustainable energy at cheaper costs. In many parts of Africa,rivers flow through out the year and the objective is to harness their energy-generating potential(Singh, 2001)

There has been a growing realization that micro-hydro systems have an important role to play in theeconomic development of developing countries with hydro resources especially in remote areas. Theneeds of rural populations for greater and constant power supply have encouraged the utilization ofsmaller and local energy resources. Coupled with the rising costs of conventional energy sources andthe high costs of grid extensions to remote regions, renewable energy seems more viable andapplicable (Singh, 2001).

Definition of Small Hydro

Small hydro is often categorized into mini and micro hydro. No consensus has been reached on thedefinition of mini and micro hydros. The term small hydro power covers both mini and micro hydropower of under 10 MW (Karekezi and Ranja, 1997).

Small hydro is small-scale power generating systems that harness the power of falling water

(AFREPREN, 2004).

Small hydropower is often categorised into mini and micro hydro, referring to the harnessing ofpower from water at a small-scale, i.e. capacity of less than 10 MW (Karekezi and Kithyoma, 2005).Pico hydro is defined as small-scale hydro electric power generation systems with an electrificationoutput of up to 5kW capacity. Pico hydro comes usually in the form of run-of-river schemes, whichdo not have the same adverse environmental impact as their larger counterparts (Wertheimer, 2005).

Over the last one hundred years, advanced turbine technology has resulted in the development ofhydroelectric stations that generate large-scale electricity. Micro-hydro converts the energy in flowingwater to direct-drive shaft power or for electricity generation on a very small scale. Conventionally,micro-hydro refers to shaft or electrical power raising from 10 to 250 kW (Singh, 2001).

Fundamentals and Principles of Operation of Small Hydro; DeliveryMechanisms and How to Implement Small Hydro

The basic principle of hydropower applies the work-energy theorem, which uses the difference inwater pressure to do work. This is achieved when water is piped from a higher level to a lower level.If the water pressure is used to move a mechanical component, then the water energy is convertedto mechanical energy. This in turn, can be used to drive a mechanical shaft to generate electricalenergy.

The basic features of a small hydro system are presented in the diagram overleaf (Hislop, 1992:60).


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Figure 1 A Typical Micro Hydro System

The main advantages of hydropower are:

The power is usually available when needed.

The amount of energy is proportional to the head.

The energy available is determinable.

No fuel and only limited maintenance are required, so running costs are low (e.g. comparedto diesel power) and in many cases imports are displaced to the benefit of the local economy.

It is a long-lasting and robust technology; systems can readily be engineered to last for 50years or more without the need for major new investment.

Small hydropower is clean - it prevents the burning of 22 billion gallons of oil or 120 milliontons of coal each year (national hydropower association: 1996).

Hydropower systems contribute to local economies.


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Disadvantages of hydropower are:

The technology implementation depends on the site.

Upgrading of the existing systems is not easily achievable when power demands begin toincrease with time.

River flows cannot be predicted accurately; consequently, seasonal variations can drasticallyreduce the peak power output.

The technology is specific and once installed, it needs to be maintained on site. This wouldinvolve teaching and training the local communities to look after (in some cases)sophisticated hardware.

Potential and Installed Capacity of Small Hydro in Africa

Eastern and Southern Africa has many permanent rives and streams providing excellent hydropower

development potential. However, as shown in the following table, small hydropower utilisation in theregion is still very low.

Table 1: Small Hydropower Utilisation in Africa

Country Harnessed (MW) Country Harnessed (MW)

Botswana 1.00 Rwanda 1.00

Burundi 2.93 Somalia 4.60

Ghana 1.20 South Africa 0.40

Kenya 13.64 Swaziland 0.30

Lesotho 8.74 Tanzania 4.00

Malawi 4.50 Uganda 8.00

Mauritius 6.70 Zambia 4.50

Mozambique 0.10Source: Karekezi and Kithyoma, 2005

Hydropower contributes about 18% of the total power generation in Africa

Table 2: Small Hydropower Developed and Potential in Selected African countries

Country Small hydro potential(MW)

Harnessed (MW)

UgandaMauritiusKenyaBurundiZambia

TanzaniaLesothoMalawiBotswanaRwandaSouth AfricaSwazilandMozambique

46

600424

70?20

?

8 .006.7014.00

18.001.05

9.005.104.501.0030.400.1

Source: Karekezi and Kithyoma, 2005, UNIDO and REEEP, 2006


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Table 3: Small Hydro Utilisation in Selected Countries in Africa

Country Harnessed (MW)

Mauritius 6.7

Kenya 6.28

Burundi 5.17

Somalia 4.8

Zambia 4.5

Tanzania 4

Lesotho 3.54

Malawi 1.52

Botswana 1

Rwanda 1

Uganda 7.3

South Africa 0.4

Swaziland 0.3

Mozambique 0.1

Source: AFREPREN, 1998

Table 4: Small Hydro Power Sites in Selected Countries in Africa

Country Number of Sites

Madagascar Over 100

Burundi Over 100

Kenya Over 100

Uganda 22

Lesotho 22

Zambia 20

Rwanda 8

Source: AFREPREN, 1998

Burundi has a large hydro potential estimated at 1,300 MW and 6,000 GWh, from which 300 MWcould be economically exploited. Today, 27 micro hydro power plants have been installed in Burundi

with a total capacity of 32 MW

Hydropower is Mozambiques most important commercial energy resource, with the potentialestimated at about 14,000 MW, of which about 2,300 MW has so far been developed, 2,075 MW atCahora Bassa Dam over the Zambezi River and the remaining is distributed among a number of sitesthroughout the country. Mapping of hydro resources for medium and high size hydro plants has beenmade in around 60 rivers throughout the country, during the seventies [1]. No specific study hasbeen undertaken for small hydro power plants, but the Ministry of Energy has plans to start such astudy soon (Cuamba, 2006).

The history of mini/small hydropower development in Tanzania dates back to the colonial periodwhere small hydro plants were developed to supply power to specific communities like religious

centers (schools and hospitals). Table 5 shows existing mini/small scale hydro power stations(Kassana, 2006).

Table 5: Existing Mini/Small Scale Hydropower Stations in Tanzania

Location Turbine/Manufacturer InstalledCapacity (kW)

Remarks/Owner

Tosamaganga - Iringa Gilkes & Gordon/Francis 1220 TANESCO

Kikuletwa - Moshi Boving & Voith Reaction 1160 TANESCO

Mbalizi - Mbeya 340 TANESCO

Uwemba - Njombe 840 TANESCO

Kitai - Songea Cross-flow/ Ossberger 45 PRIVATE

Lupilo (Chipole) - Songea Francis 400 PRIVATE

Maguu - Mbinga 50 PRIVATE

Nyagao - Lindi Cross Flow/Ossberger 15.8 PRIVATE

Isoko - Tukuyu Cross Flow/Ossberger 15.5 PRIVATE

Uwemba Mission - Njombe 100 PRIVATE

Bulongwa MaketeKaengesa - Sumbawanga

Cross Flow/OssbergerCross Flow/Ossberger

18044

PRIVATEPRIVATE


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Location Turbine/Manufacturer InstalledCapacity (kW)

Remarks/Owner

Rungwe - Tukuyu Cross Flow/Ossberger 21.2 PRIVATE

Ngaresero - Arusha Gilbsk 15 PRIVATE

Sakare Soni _Tanga Geiselbrecht 6.3 PRIVATE

Ndanda - Lindi Gilbsk 14.4 PRIVATE

Peramiho - Songea Cross Flow/Ossberger 34.6 PRIVATENdorage Bukoba B.Maler 55 PRIVATE

Mbarari Mbeya Chinese 700 PRIVATE

Mngeta Kilombero Xxxxxxx/North Korea 400 PRIVATE

Ikonda Njombe CMTIP 40 PRIVATE

Total 5.3 MW

Source: TANESCO/MEM in Kassana, 2006

The government policy on small hydropower is to develop small sites in areas, which are not suppliedwith power from the National grid, or to replace diesel generation in isolated areas. Based on thispolicy, several small-scale hydropower development activities have been initiated by the governmentin cooperation with local and foreign agencies. On-going development activities in small hydrodevelopment range from site identification, pre-feasibility/feasibility studies (Kassana, 2006).

Both large and small hydropower business fall under the same energy structure as other sources ofenergy. At this time in point, they are still controlled and regulated under mainly, the ministry ofenergy and minerals (Kassana, 2006).

The general status of the small-hydro power sites (Non-Nile sites) in Uganda is shown in thefollowing table. The table shows the installed capacities of the sites, the general status of the powersite whether operational or non-operational and the districts in which they are located (Opio, 2006).

Site District InstalledCapacity(MW)

Potential(Estimated)(MW)

STATUS

Maziba Kabale 1.0 - Out of operation- needs rehabilitation

Kuluva Moyo 0.12 - In operation feeding Kuluva HospitalKagando Kasese 0.06 - In operation feeding Kagando Hospital

Kisiizi Rukungiri 0.06 - In operation at 60 kWExpansion program to 365 kW is in progress.Project exemption was approved in 2002.

Mobuku 1 Kasese 5.4 - In operation by Kilembe Mines. SuppliesKilembe and feeds into the Main Grid

Mobuku 3 Kasese 10 - Operated by Kasese Cobalt Co and feeds intothe Main Grid

Muzizi Kibale/Kabalore

- 10-20 Developer SN Power Invest ASPermit granted Nov/Dec 2004 for 12 monthsFeasibility study still going on

Paidha/Nyagak Nebbi - 3.5MW Feasibility study completed and ready fordevelopment WENRECO was awarded

concession in March 2003Conducting a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP).Construction expected to begin Jan 2007

Rwizi Mbarara - 0.5 Pre-investment studies carried out

Kakaka Kabarole - 7.2 Feasibility studies carried out by SWECOEco Power has applied for a permit and iscarrying out pre-investment studies

Nshungyezi Mbarara - 20 EDM has a permit to develop the site.

Nyamabuye Kisoro - 2.2 Developer USEC (Uganda Sustainable EnergyCompany Limited.Permit granted Feb 2005Feasibility study was conducted by Norplan.USEC yet to start on pre-investment study

Siti Kapchorwa - 3.3 Developer Mt. Elgon Power Company

Permit issued July 2002 and extended untilexpiry in September 2004

Sipi-Chebonet Kapchorwa - 2.5 Developer Mt. Elgon Power CompanyPermit issued July 2002 and extended untilexpiry in September 2004


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Site District InstalledCapacity(MW)

Potential(Estimated)(MW)

STATUS

Anyau/Olewa

Arua - 1.5 WENRECO has exclusive rights to the sitethrough the West Nile License

Haisesero Kabale - 1.0 Estimate

Kitumba Kabale - 0.2 Estimate

Mpanga Kabarole - 0.4 EstimateNyakibale Rukungiri - 0.1 Estimate

Leya Moyo - 0.12 Estimate

Amua Moyo - 0.18 Estimate

Narwodo Nebbi - 0.4 Estimate

Mvepi Arua - 2.4 Estimate

Adjumani RuralElectrificationProject (RiverEsia)

Moyo - 1 Permit granted 29th July 2005 for 12 monthsDeveloper Adjumani Rural ElectrificationCompany Limited (ARECO)

Ela Arua - 1.5 Estimate

Agoi Arua - 0.35 Estimate

Nkussi Kibale - 0.9 Estimate

Kikagati Mbarara - 20 Old Power plant used to operate at 1MW.

China Shang Sheng Industrial Intl Ltd torebuild and expand the plant to 20MW.Permit granted 29th July 2005 for 12 months

Sezibwa Mukono - 0.5 Estimate

Tokwe Bundibugyo - 0.1 Developer Uganda Energy for RuralDevelopment (UERD)

Mgiita Bundibugyo - 0.15 Estimate

Miria Adua Arua - 0.1 Estimate

Sogahi Kabalore - 2.0 Estimate

Ishasha Rukungiri - 5.0 Feasibility studies carried out by Tele ConsultEco Power has applied for a permit and iscarrying out pre-investment studies

Buseruka Hoima - 10 Feasibility studies completed by Hydromax

12 months extension of the permit grantedeffective 1st August 2005

Nengo Bridge Rukungiri/Kanungu - 7.5 Developer SN Power Invest ASPermit granted Nov/Dec 2004 for 12 months

Waki Masindi/Hoima - 5 Feasibility study by NorplanDeveloper SN Power Invest ASPermit granted Nov/Dec 2004 for 12 months

Bugoye Kasese - 11 Developer SN Power Invest ASPermit granted Nov/Dec 2004 for 12 months

Kyambura Bushenyi - 10 Pre-feasibility studies being carried out by EcoPower

Muyembe-Sirinutyo

Sironko - 2.6 Developer Mt. Elgon Power CompanyPermit issued July 2002 and extended untilexpiry in September 2004

Ririma Kapchorwa - 1.2 Developer Mt. Elgon Power CompanyPermit issued July 2002 and extended untilexpiry in September 2004

Mahoma Rutete Sub-County 3 Developer Uganda Energy for RuralDevelopmentPermit granted Nov/Dec 2004 for 12months

Rwebijooka Buheesi Sub-County 1 Developer Uganda Energy for RuralDevelopmentPermit granted Nov/Dec 2004 for 12months

Source: Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development in Opio, 2006

The mini hydro potential in Zambia is estimated at more than 60MW, however no countrywidestudies have been done to verify this figure. Exploitation of this resource continues to be very low.With the setting up of the Rural Electrification Authority, it is anticipated that more small hydro powerstations will be developed. Currently almost all the small hydro stations are in the north and NorthWest of the country and operate as isolated systems. ZESCO, Zambias power utility, owns andoperates small hydropower plants in the northern half of the country. These are the 12 MW Lusiwasihydropower station, the 6MW Chishimba Falls power plant on the outskirts of Kasama, 5MW MusondaFalls power station in Mansa and the 0.75MW Lunzua Power station near Mpulungu (Phiri, 2006).


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Application of Small Hydro in Electricity Generation

Small Hydro in the Central African Republic

The pico hydro power station (PCH) in Bakouma, in the Central African Republic has an installedcapacity of 9.5 kW. The power produced by the PCH provides lighting to the 25-room district hospitaland ensures the functioning of several medical machines, including the operating theatre, as well aslighting for the towns small mechanical workshop and functioning of a rice hulling machine. The PCHhas been developed entirely by the local personnel under the supervision of Father Henri Zandbelt,from the bishopric of Bakouma and Bangassou. The bishopric owns the PCH. Father Henri himselfprovided and installed the turbine and related equipment as well as the cables necessary for the linesand the lamp. Father Henri has trained a team of four people to run and maintain the PCH as well asfor the mechanical workshop. The Bakouma cathedral town pays for the maintenance team thanks tothe small revenue earned by the mechanical workshop (Tondo, 2004).

Small Hydro in Kenya

Small hydropower systems have been used in Kenya as stand-alone power generation supplies forMissionary stations and private large farms. Since 1920s, water lifting applications or mechanicalloads have dominated the small hydro utilization. There are also isolated cases where tea factoriesand other institutional establishments have exploited small hydro for own power supply (Mbuthi,2006).

Though Kenya is endowed with rich hydropower potential, available literature gives conflicting figuresas to the actual potential for both large and small hydropower. The overall hydropower potential ofKenya, estimated in 1991, amounts to approximately 30,000GWh/year, representing 6,000 MW ofinstalled capacity. It is also estimated that almost over half the potential is attributable to small rivers.The energy bill estimates small hydropower potential to be 3,000MW (Balla, 2006).

A more conservative figure has been given to represent the hydropower potential of 8,860 GWh/year,representing 2,107.5MW of capacity. It is estimated that the technically feasible hydro potential is4,710GWh/year, of which 62% has been developed. This potential seems to represent the largehydropower plants, as there is no systematic study to establish the exploitable potential for smallhydropower. Inventions and emerging technologies in small hydropower generation may alsoinfluence increases in the potential, for instance exploitation of low head high volume technologies(Balla, 2006).

A number of small hydropower schemes have been implemented in Kenya by Kenya GenerationCompany, the private investors (e.g. tea companies, mission hospitals), individuals and communities.Some tea companies and community groups have already running systems and the impact is clear,with one company (Unilever) making savings of over Kshs.30 million (US$ 375,000) on electricity

costs. UnileverTea Company has installed capacity of 2.2MW. James FinlayTea Company has aninstalled capacity of 2.4MW. A missionary complex that includes a boarding secondary school in Meruruns on a 70Kw plant. Tanwek missionary hospital runs on 320KW plant (Balla, 2006)

A small community in Muranga district has installed a 10Kw machine and uses the electricity even forcooking. A community in Chuka has implemented a14Kw scheme that powers a trade centre whereeconomic activities e.g. welding are already taking place. The following table is a summary of some ofthe small hydro schemes implemented in Kenya (Balla, 2006).


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Table 6: Small hydropower schemes currently implemented in Kenya

Scheme Type Ownership Location(River)

InstalledCapacity

DateCommissioned

Tana Mini-hydro KenGen Upper Tana 14.4 MW 1940 -1953

Ndula Mini-hydro KenGen Thika 2.0 MW 1924

Wanjii Mini-hydro KenGen Maragua 7.4 MW 1955

Gogo Mini-hydro KenGen Migori 2.0 MW 1952

Sagana Mini-hydro KenGen Upper Tana 1.5 MW 1952

Mesco Mini-hydro KenGen Maragua 0.38 MW 1919

Sosiani Mini-hydro KenGen Sosiani 0.4 MW 1955

Tanwek Mini-hydro Tanwek MissionaryHospital

Bomet 320KW 1987

Mini-hydro Unilever Tea Company Kericho 2.2MW

Mini-hydro James Finlay TeaCompany

Kericho 2.4MW

Tungu Kabiru Micro-hydro Community River Tungu 14KW 2000

Micro-hydro Community 70KW

Thima Pico-hydro Community Mukengeria 2KW 2001

Kathamba Pico-hydro Community Kathamba 1.2KW 2001

Source: Balla, 2006

The Ministry of Energy (Kenya) in collaboration with the Intermediate Technology DevelopmentGroup East Africa (ITDG-EA) has undertaken several initiatives to develop a sustainableinfrastructure for isolated small hydropower development in the country. These include the following(Karekezi et al, 2005):

A pilot community micro hydropower project in Mbuiru village, Meru South District with acapacity of 14 kW. The energy generated is for powering micro enterprises such as grainmilling and oil processing.

Two community pico hydropower schemes in Kirinyaga district generating 1.1 kW and 2.2 kWproviding electricity to 65 and 165 households respectively

Small Hydro in South Africa

In South Africa, there are at most a dozen or so small hydro installations in the KwaZulu Natalregion. Most of these systems are concentrated in farmlands in the interior of the country and are

just a few kilowatts in magnitude. Table 7 summarises some of the installations that have beeninstalled in KwaZulu Natal (Singh, 2001).

Table 7: Small Hydro Installations in KwaZulu Natal

Place Area Type Capacity Purpose

Oribi Gorge Waterfall 100 kW Provider (flood damaged in 1996)

Giant's Castle Drakensberg Mountain - Trout Hatchery 5 kW Water pumping

Njusuti KwaZulu Natal Parks Board 2 kW Lighting and HeatingRichmond Farm 3 kW Irrigation

Mooi River Farm 6 kW Irrigation

Bulwer Dairy 3 kW Water pumping and Irrigation

Crammond Farm 40 kW Irrigation

Small Hydro in Crammond (KwaZulu Natal - South Africa)

The Solomon family has been growing 100 ha of maize on their 1,125 ha farm for many years andhad an outlay of R110, 000 in 1991 (about US$35,000 in 1991). They installed a 40 kW water turbineon the Umgeni River for irrigation purposes. The system was estimated to pay for itself within aperiod of five years and would provide a lifetime of power with minimal maintenance costs (Singh,2001).

The water driving the turbine flows along a canal, which is about 0.80 km long. At the end of thecanal, 400 litres/s is fed into a Monax Type 24 turbine through a 750 mm pipe with a fall of 12 m.The actual power that can be generated is about 48 kW, but allowing for losses and efficiency, about40 kW output is obtained. The Monax turbine runs at 750 rev/min and drives a Southern Cross RHF


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100 centrifugal pump, through the Vee belt drive. The capacity of the driven pump is 180kilolitres/hour at a pressure of 520 kPa. The water is pumped into a dragline sprinkler system thatwas recently upgraded to include 140 sprinklers, which are used to irrigate 50 ha of pasture for dairyanimals (Singh, 2001).

This power is available day and night, 24 hours a day, year in and out at no cost above normal

maintenance. The butterfly valve is to be connected to an electronic governor in the near future toregulate water flow and to maintain a constant power output regardless of load variation. In terms ofthe cost analysis, the maintenance involves changing a flat belt twice a year, bearings and brushesoccasionally. The system has been in use all these years at virtually no cost once the cost had beenrecovered. Further calculations show that the initial cost was two-thirds that of the grid supply, whichwas recovered over a period of five years (Singh, 2001).

Small Hydro in Svinuray, Cashel Valley, Zimbabwe

The micro hydro system at Svinurayi, Cashel Valley, was installed in the 1930s and consists of thecivil works, a penstock and a powerhouse with a turbine. In addition, the turbine is coupled to a 220

V direct current generator and a grinding mill for milling maize. The hydropower system is supplied

with water from the Mutengambudzi River, which is 176 m above the powerhouse level. The water isthen channelled to a settling tank system through a distance of 650m. The forebay is about 100 mabove the powerhouse level and is circular with a diameter of 3.65 m with a depth of 1.74 m. Thetotal length of the penstock is 412 m (Singh, 2001).

The turbine is a 10 kW Pelton wheel, while the generator is rated at 33A, 9.5 kV and 1,500 r.p.m andit has a double-ended shaft. One end is driven by the turbine and the other is fitted with a V-beltpulley, which drives a layshaft running at about 3,000 r.p.m (Singh, 2001).

Application of Small Hydro for Mechanical Power

Small hydro has the advantage of multiple uses: energy generation, irrigation, water supply andmechanical power for grain milling, saw milling and running a lathe machine, among others. It is alsoa very reliable technology with a solid track record, well suited to rural areas outside the centralpower grid (Karekezi and Kithyoma, 2005)

In Kenya, small hydropower has been harnessed for over a century. However, the development wasmainly aimed at supplying mechanical power for agro-processing activities such as maize milling and

in very few cases for electricity generation for villages far from the grid (Karekezi et al, 2005)

Hydro power is used for irrigation and water supply. Traditionally, water wheels operated grindstones,thresher, water pumps, Lathes, saw blades and eventually with gearing produce electricity(AFREPREN, 1998).

The micro hydro system at Svinurayi, Zimbabwe was installed in the 1930s and consists of the civilworks, a penstock and a powerhouse with a turbine. In addition, the turbine is coupled to a 220 Vdirect current generator and a grinding mill for milling maize (Singh, 2001).

Small hydropower is also used to provide motive and shaft power in some countries. In some cases,the shaft power can be used to process agricultural produce and increase its value (Karekezi andKithyoma, 2002).

Barriers to Development and Implementation of Small Hydro

Growth has been dampened by the high initial costs of setting up a small-hydro scheme (about US$2,000 3,000/kW installed) which, while relatively modest in a developed work context, areprohibitive for most rural Africans without access to financial resources (Karekezi et al, 2005)

Factors that influence the dissemination of small hydro power can be divided into four categoriesnamely (AFREPREN, 1998):


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1) Institutional:

- Need of a coherent national energy policy guideline- Monopolistic status of national power utilities- Absence of active participation of the private sector- Emphasis on service and welfare functions instead of production -oriented

functions.- Limited information on small hydro sources.

2) Organization, Management and Maintenance- Limited maintenance requirements

3) Human Resource Development- In adequate attention to the training of users,maintenance personnel and

manufacture.- Size and level of training

4) Finance and Economic Issues- High Initial cost need low interest credit schemes- Non-involvement of the locals

Case Study of a Country that has Successfully Implemented Small Hydro

Nepal is one of the countries in the developing world that has achieved substantial small hydropowerdevelopment. Although not in Africa, Nepal has development indicators that are roughly similar tosub-Saharan African countries, and therefore provides useful lessons on small hydro development, forthe sub-Saharan African region (Karekezi and Kithyoma, 2002).

In Nepal, the harnessing of waterpower is not a new phenomenon: traditional water wells for agro-processing have been in use for centuries in the rural areas, with the first modern hydropowerinstalled in 1993. Small hydro turbine and electrification schemes have been found to be viable

options for meeting the energy needs of the rural population in remote areas of Nepal (Karekezi andKithyoma, 2002). To date the country has about 25,000 operational small hydro units (Karekezi andRanja, 1997).

The Nepalese government has been instrumental in the promotion of small hydropower. In 1984, itsanctioned privately instituted small hydro projects under 100kW, eliminated licensing requirementsand granted approval for charging unrestricted tariffs. This has led to active private sectorinvolvement in SHP development, as well as increased dissemination of the technology (Karekezi andKithyoma, 2002).

Micro-hydro systems provide direct drive which can be used for milling, grinding and to generateelectricity. In Nepal, the revenue generated by the provision of a milling service provides the ownerwith a profit, which can be supplemented, in an increasing number of cases, by the sale of electricityfor lighting at night (Hislop, 1992).

References:

AFREPREN (1998), Solar Hydro Power, paper presented at the AFREPREN/FWD/UNESCO Solar RegionTraining Workshop, Nairobi, AFREPREN

AFREPREN (2004) AFREPREN Occasional Paper23: African Energy Data Handbook, Nairobi, AfricaEnergy Policy Research Network (AFREPREN)

Balla, P. (2006) National Study on Small Hydropower Development: Status and Potential of SmallHydropower Development in the Tea Industry in Kenya, unpublished report, Nairobi andMombasa, UNEP/GEF and East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA)


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Documents

Background Material on Small Hydro