Small hydro might be the way to go for Africa as larger projects run into problems with financing (EIB Drops out of Gibe III), government support, and land usage. However, Tanzania and South Africa are advancing plans for small hydro projects which could speed up their renewable energy efforts.
Tanzania’s Rufiji Basin Water Office has released development plans for its Lugoda and Ngalenge dams and Maluluma hydropower scheme on the Ndembera River. The government received financing from the development partners toward the cost of the Water Sector Development Program for a feasibility study in July. No update has been provided as to the results of the feasibility study as the tender process was closed July 9.
Further south in South Africa, the country has begun to employ consultants to assist in its Renewable Energy Market Transformation (REMT) matching grant program which includes small hydropower schemes. The fund was given $6 million from the World Bank to help support South Africa’s 2003 White Paper on RE which set a target of 4% of the country’s energy demand to come from RE by 2013.
Small hydropower is great for developing countries because of its relatively low cost. Small hydro can be locally manufactured and the technology implemented to help villages and communities attain power. Another advantage is that it takes a small amount of water to generate electricity. Electricity can be delivered over a mile away from the small hydropower station which is ideal for Africa as many people live off-grid. In addition, many power companies will buy the excess energy that also allows project owners to feed energy into the grid.
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