Usually, Micro/Small-Hydropower is used in the rural electrification and does not necessarily
supply electricity to the national grid. They are utilized in isolated and off-grid villages for
decentralized electrification.
There is an increasing need in many developing countries for rural electrification purposely to
provide illumination at night and to support livelihood projects. Also, the government is faced
with the high costs of extending electricity grids. Often, Micro/Small-Hydro system offers an
economical option or alternative to grid extension. The high cost of transmission lines and the
very low load factor in the rural areas contributes to the non-viability of the grid extension
scheme. On the contrary, Micro/Small-Hydro schemes can be managed by the local people and
smaller organizations. It is hoped that this Manual will provide people with appropriate
knowledge and skills in carrying out feasibility studies on micro/small-hydropower
development.
The flow of micro/small- hydropower development is generally shown in Figure 1.1-1. Of all
the stages, stages from “Potential Site Identification” to “Designing Stage” (except detailed
design) are covered by a feasibility study”. This manual was described basically in line with this
flow.
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supply electricity to the national grid. They are utilized in isolated and off-grid villages for
decentralized electrification.
There is an increasing need in many developing countries for rural electrification purposely to
provide illumination at night and to support livelihood projects. Also, the government is faced
with the high costs of extending electricity grids. Often, Micro/Small-Hydro system offers an
economical option or alternative to grid extension. The high cost of transmission lines and the
very low load factor in the rural areas contributes to the non-viability of the grid extension
scheme. On the contrary, Micro/Small-Hydro schemes can be managed by the local people and
smaller organizations. It is hoped that this Manual will provide people with appropriate
knowledge and skills in carrying out feasibility studies on micro/small-hydropower
development.
The flow of micro/small- hydropower development is generally shown in Figure 1.1-1. Of all
the stages, stages from “Potential Site Identification” to “Designing Stage” (except detailed
design) are covered by a feasibility study”. This manual was described basically in line with this
flow.
