This presentation discusses small hydropower (SHP) projects for community development. SHP refers to hydroelectric power projects that are 10MW or less. The key benefits of SHP include clean, reliable electricity production while avoiding large environmental and social impacts. SHP technologies are also simple to deploy and maintain, making them suitable for rural communities. Case studies from Pakistan and China show how SHP projects have provided electricity access, economic opportunities, and environmental benefits when implemented with community participation, engagement, and capacity building. Lessons from successful SHP projects emphasize the importance of involving local stakeholders and ensuring financial sustainability.

1. Small Hydropower for
Community Development
Presented by
Cecilia Ledesma
Green Initiatives Forum
28 April 2016

2. v No agreed upon definition, but
generally refers to hydro plants
<10MW
v The benefits of clean, reliable
electricity of traditional hydropower
v Given smaller scale avoid the
environmental and social impact of
larger hydropower schemes
v Simple technology requiring minimal
maintenance à easy to deploy to
rural, isolated communities
What is SHP?

3. SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL
Source: practicalaction.org/micro-hydro-power-3

4. v Renewable energies are expected to play an
increasingly important role in sustainable
development worldwide
v However, many examples in developing countries
of now defunct renewable energy projects
What can be done to ensure the long-term
sustainability of renewable energy projects?

5. v As part of the World Small Hydro
Power Development Report
(WSHPDR) ICSHP collected case
studies of successful SHP
projects around the world
v Several common themes and
lessons to be learned for
community-level projects
v Namely, community buy-in and
community engagement were
vital to project success
These are their stories.

6. 6
SHP for PEACE in Pakistan
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province
in Pakistan marked by recent
history of natural and
manmade disasters
• 7.6 magnitude earthquake
in 2005
• Floods in 2010
• Until recently controlled by
the Taliban

7. Sarhad Rural Support Programme
“At the heart of the RSP approach is the
belief that marginalized communities and
disadvantaged people have within them the
capacity for self help.”
Ø The EU-funded PEACE Project (Programme for
Economic Advancement and Community
Empowerment) being implemented in the seven
districts of Malakand Division
Ø Communities organized to plan and develop their
own micro hydro projects to generate clean,
renewable and sustainable electricity

8. vInvolvement of different stakeholders
vCommunity Based Organizations (CBOs)
mobilized
vParticipatory system inclusive of women
vProductive Use of Renewable Energy
(PURE)
vO&M capacity building and training
The SRSP Approach

9. The Process
Ø Communities identify MHP as priority need
à social and technical surveys carried
out to test feasibility
Ø Message delivered at community level to
ensure broad based participation of
members
à Community Organizations formed
Ø Detailed Terms of Partnership (ToPs)
drafted and agreed upon
à project initiated

10. Impact to date
v 46,000 tonnes CO2 emissions reduced per
year
v Kerosene oil costs reduced from €5.2
million to €645,000 for an estimated
53,330 households
v Boost to local economic development and
585 local enterprises from access to
reliable electricity supply
v Schools: at least 13 boys and girls schools
benefiting over 1,700 children have been
connected to MHPs
v Health clinics: 7 newly-electrified Basic
Health Units now provide improved health
services to an average 325 patients per
day
v Improved standard of living – improved
living conditions and access to information
Photograph: Martin Wright/Ashden Awards

11. Mobilizing SHP for Climate Change
43 kW MHP Scheme at Done Stone Reservoir
Saddleworth Community Hydro Ltd.

12. Public screening of
“An Inconvenient Truth”
mobilized community to take action

13. Setting the wheels in motion
Ø Steering group formed
Ø Establishing public-private partnership
with local utilities company
Ø Attracting start-up financing
Ø Securing necessary permits and approvals
Ø Getting the project online

14. Cross-flow turbine system
operates year round to
generate electricity for ~77
homes via the national grid An estimated annual CO2
savings of 270 tonnes

15. China: SHP for
Deforestation Prevention
• Chinese government
launched the “SHP
Replacing Firewood
Environmental Protection
Project” initiative in 2003
• Subsidies implemented to
provide farmers with
cheap, clean electricity
• A key section for SHP
development and rural
electrification in the 十三五

16. The “SHP Replacing Firewood” pilot project has
provided 800,000 farmers with electricity and
protected 230,000 hectares of forest.

17. Localized policy
China’s success with SHP development
policy-driven:
• Local people participation
• Identify local potential of SHP resources
• Mobilize locally available funds
• Encourage local technology progress
• Use of local construction materials
• Local consumption prioritized

18. Lessons from SHP community
projects relevant for other renewable
energies
Key factors:
•The participation of the beneficiaries in
project planning and implementation
•Wide stakeholder engagement and buy-
in
•Technical capacity building at the
community level
•Financial sustainability
Lessons Learned

19. References
• http://www.smallhydroworld.org/
• http://practicalaction.org/page/66
• http://srsp.org.pk/srsp-main/
• http://www.ashden.org/winners/SRSP15
• https://sites.google.com/site/saddleworthcommunit
yhydro/home

20. Thank you !
International Center on Small Hydro Power (ICSHP)
P.O Box 202, Nanshan Rd. 136, Hangzhou, China
Tel: +86-571-87079113 Fax: +86-571-87023353
Email: cledesma@icshp.org www.icshp.org