FOREWORD
The continued success of community based micro-hydro electricity schemes depends
on the cooperative relations between the members managing and operating the schemes
and their relations with developers and other stakeholders. Members of electrified
households and their representative consumer society need to operate and maintain the
scheme efficiently and adequately. It is only then the community will continue to enjoy
the use of electricity, with the assistance of a couple of operators from the village whose
capacities have been developed.
Practical Action has worked on micro-hydro village electrification schemes for over
25 years. This community based renewable energy technology has proven to be an
appropriate energy solution for remote villages which are not connected to the main
electricity grid. At the heart of these schemes lie the village communities. They are not
only the consumers and owners of the schemes but are also responsible for managing,
operating and maintaining them.
For the smooth running of a micro-hydro village electrification scheme, proper operation
and attending to at least preventive maintenance is vital. Small instances of neglect
can lead to large problems for the whole scheme. Even a small repair may have to be
attended to without delay so as to ensure the whole system is running smoothly. If
the villages, often located in remote difficult to access areas, have to rely on external
technical inputs, it may take days to repair the system. People will have blackouts in
such instances. Therefore, some general understanding and competencies in regular
operation and maintenance is a must for the village folk who obtain electricity from the
community based micro-hydro village electrification schemes.
This booklet provides basic instructions and advice on how to keep a community based
micro-hydro village electrification scheme up and running. It helps the community
understand the technology, inculcating the required knowledge in order to provide
uninterrupted and quality electricity supply to the village.
it is recommended that this booklet is used in conjunction with the ‘Community Based
Micro-Hydro Schemes - Technology & Approach’ booklet.