Beschreibung
Rural electrification enjoys high priority on Indonesia’s development
agenda. In remote villages located beyond the reach of national
electricity grids, mini hydropower offers an environmentally
friendly alternative to decentralized electricity generation. Technical
assistance programs have successfully introduced mini hydro technology
in developing countries but have often failed to attain
sustainable plant operation.
“Mini Hydropower for Rural Development – A New Market-
Oriented Approach to Maximize Electrification Benefits. With Special
Focus on Indonesia” provides insight into the multifaceted conditions
under which village communities are struggling to keep systems
running. A new approach linking productive electricity use and mini
hydro operation is developed which incorporates experiences of
market-oriented approaches in small enterprise development. Village
communities are no longer left alone after the commissioning of the
plants but are continuously provided need-oriented services. The
study is exceptional in that the approach is experimentally applied
in an actual project involving a village-owned coffee roastery. It is
shown that the new approach not only contributes to a sustainable
electricity supply but also to village development.
