Micro Hydro Power Development
Background
The history of waterpower in Nepal begins with the traditional water mills (Ghatta) used for grinding flour, however, there is a variety of technologies already available or being developed, which come under the mini and micro hydropower category. Nepal's hydropower potential is estimated to be about 83,000 MW, of which about 43,000 MW is assumed to be economically feasible. However these figures relates mainly to large scale hydropower development. Study reports show that 63 out of 75 districts have the potential for hydropower generation. The focus on micro-hydropower came with starting of subsidy on electrical parts by government and through Agricultural Development Bank-Nepal (ADB/N) in late eighties.
Micro-hydro technology has been disseminated and power has been generated so far in about 60 districts. Altogether about 1,072 Micro-hydro plants including mills for agro processing have already been installed in the country. There are several governments, semi-government, non-government organizations and private companies involved in the development and dissemination of micro-hydro power in the country.
Objectives and Approach
Expand this- Increasing access to clean and low cost renewable energy technology
- Improving environmental health and indigenous practices
- Providing opportunities for diversification of productive end uses
- Creating local employment and promoting income generating activities
- Developing concepts of entrepreneurship and ownership rights to community
- Reducing drudgery among women and children
Positive Aspects
Expand- The components of micro-hydro can be locally manufactured
- The micro-hydro schemes can be locally built
- Micro-hydro plants are comparatively simple in its construction
- The scheme can be locally managed, operated and maintained with training input to the local
Major Initiative
Expand- Preliminary and Detail feasibility study
- Technical and Social survey
- Detail design and Cost estimation
- Environment impact assessment and Socio-economic analysis
- Supervision, Installation and Research
- Social mobilization, training and awareness camping
