Difference between revisions of "Pico Hydro Development to Provide Electric Light to the Rural Poor in Remote and Inaccessible Areas of Sri Lanka"
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
The main objective of this project was to provide access to electricity through Pico Hydro systems (PH) to households situated in isolated, rural hilly areas of Sri Lanka. Pico Hydro systems with an output of up to 1 kW each and efficiency between 32-40% were implemented in different locations in the Sabaragamuwa Province. Next to technical training, awareness raising and dissemination were considerable parts of the implementation strategy. | The main objective of this project was to provide access to electricity through Pico Hydro systems (PH) to households situated in isolated, rural hilly areas of Sri Lanka. Pico Hydro systems with an output of up to 1 kW each and efficiency between 32-40% were implemented in different locations in the Sabaragamuwa Province. Next to technical training, awareness raising and dissemination were considerable parts of the implementation strategy. | ||
| + | |||
| + | To provide reliable and renewable electricity to 75 remote off-grid households, using 35 pico hydo units | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|+Basic Projekt Information | |+Basic Projekt Information | ||
| + | |Project objective: | ||
| + | |To provide reliable and renewable electricity to 75 remote off-grid households, using 35 pico hydo units | ||
| + | |- | ||
|Location: | |Location: | ||
|Sri Lanka | |Sri Lanka | ||
| Line 27: | Line 32: | ||
|October 2010 – April 2012 | |October 2010 – April 2012 | ||
|} | |} | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Background == | ||
| + | In many remote villages in the hilly region of Sri Lanka, people have little or no access to electricity. Consequently, they use kerosene for lighting their homes, which is unhealthy and causes pollution. To improve the energy situation for poor rural communities Practical Action Sri Lanka (now "Janathakshan"), in close cooperation with the beneficiaries of the project and local decision makers, installed 35 pico hydro systems to provide electricity to 136 households. The project was implemented in multiple stages and a proven technical design was used, but various methods had to be devised to make the project socially acceptable in the different local contexts. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In all cases the pico hydro unit was jointly funded by WISIONS and the provincial authorities. The beneficiaries provided labour, electricity poles, materials for the necessary civil works and also carried out the domestic wiring. While the units were being installed, relevant government officers, potential donors, financing institutions and universities were made aware of the process. They were informed about what support was needed and how they could become involved to make pico hydro technology a standard option for sustainable energy generation. | ||
| + | |||
| + | As a result of these awareness-raising activities, pico hydro technology became recognized by the government as a method of providing electricity to off-grid households. Provincial authorities have also included the technology and the process used for this project as an exemplary method to follow in their energy delivery plans for rural off-grid communities. | ||
Revision as of 12:50, 17 August 2026
Introduction
The main objective of this project was to provide access to electricity through Pico Hydro systems (PH) to households situated in isolated, rural hilly areas of Sri Lanka. Pico Hydro systems with an output of up to 1 kW each and efficiency between 32-40% were implemented in different locations in the Sabaragamuwa Province. Next to technical training, awareness raising and dissemination were considerable parts of the implementation strategy.
To provide reliable and renewable electricity to 75 remote off-grid households, using 35 pico hydo units
| Project objective: | To provide reliable and renewable electricity to 75 remote off-grid households, using 35 pico hydo units |
| Location: | Sri Lanka |
| Technology: | Pico hydro power |
| Energy-related need: | Electricity |
| Costs: | Total: € 74,538 |
| WISIONS financial support: € 44,000 | |
| CO2 Reduction: | 71.6 tCO2/year |
| Partners Involved: | Practical Action Sri Lanka |
| Duration: | October 2010 – April 2012 |
Background
In many remote villages in the hilly region of Sri Lanka, people have little or no access to electricity. Consequently, they use kerosene for lighting their homes, which is unhealthy and causes pollution. To improve the energy situation for poor rural communities Practical Action Sri Lanka (now "Janathakshan"), in close cooperation with the beneficiaries of the project and local decision makers, installed 35 pico hydro systems to provide electricity to 136 households. The project was implemented in multiple stages and a proven technical design was used, but various methods had to be devised to make the project socially acceptable in the different local contexts.
In all cases the pico hydro unit was jointly funded by WISIONS and the provincial authorities. The beneficiaries provided labour, electricity poles, materials for the necessary civil works and also carried out the domestic wiring. While the units were being installed, relevant government officers, potential donors, financing institutions and universities were made aware of the process. They were informed about what support was needed and how they could become involved to make pico hydro technology a standard option for sustainable energy generation.
As a result of these awareness-raising activities, pico hydro technology became recognized by the government as a method of providing electricity to off-grid households. Provincial authorities have also included the technology and the process used for this project as an exemplary method to follow in their energy delivery plans for rural off-grid communities.
