Sustainable Micro-Hydro through Energizing Rural Enterprises and Livelihood (SMRE)
Introduction
| Location: |
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| Technology: | Micro-Hydro, Hydroelectric Power |
| Scope: | Practice-to-Policy |
| Costs: | Total: € 38,000
WISIONS financial support: € 38,000 |
| Host Organization: | Renewable Energy Association of Myanmar (REAM) |
| Partners Involved: | PT Entec Indonesia, Alternate Energy Promotion Center Nepal, Practical Action Nepal, Janathakshan |
| Exchange's Aim: | To Facilitate Dialogue Between Decision-Makers in Myanmar and Their Counterparts in Countries That Have Successfully Implemented Micro-Hydro |
| Exchange date: | March 2014 – March 2015 |
Decentralised energy systems based on micro-hydro power can increase access to energy in remote off-grid locations. In the medium and long term, micro-hydro plants (MHPs) installed in rural settings may face maintenance problems and stop working at optimal levels. One of the main reasons for poor operation is under-utilisation: low plant load factors leading to weak cash-flow and, as a result, to insufficient maintenance. Simultaneously, opportunities for income-generating activities and for supporting rural enterprises often go unexploited.
Practical Action aimed to promote the long-term use of certain existing MHPs using a holistic approach called Participatory Market System Development (PMSD). It emphasises stakeholder participation for creating sustainable rural enterprises and empowering marginalised market actors.
Five existing micro-hydro projects (three in Nepal and two in Odisha state, India) ranging from 14 to 100 kW capacity, saw their MHPs serviced and refurbished. Moreover, additional demand for power was created by establishing 21 new enterprises, ranging from mills for rice and wheat to construction businesses. The aim was to increase the load factors of the MHPs and, consequently, their financial viability.
Lastly, technical and business skills trainings were provided to the existing and new MHP users. The project also supported rural enterprises establishment and operation for optimum utilisation of the MHPs. All the activities are expected to contribute ultimately to the long-term sustainability of the MHPs. The project also worked towards influencing policymakers to remove policy barriers to micro-hydro and to support energy-based rural enterprises.
