Innovative private micro-hydro power development in Rwanda

被引:40
作者
Pigaht, Maurice [1 ]
van der Plas, Robert J. [1 ]
机构
[1] MARGE Netherlands, NL-7577 EW Oldenzaal, Netherlands
关键词
Micro-hydro electricity; Rural electrification; Private sector participation;
D O I
10.1016/j.enpol.2009.06.039
中图分类号
F [经济];
学科分类号
02 ;
摘要
Under the "Private Sector Participation in Micro-Hydro Development Project in Rwanda", four newly registered Rwandan companies are each constructing a micro-hydro electricity plant (100-500 kW) and building a low-voltage distribution grid. These companies financed their plants through their own equity and debt with support from the PSP Hydro project. This support comprised a subsidy of 30-50% of investment costs, technical and business development assistance, project monitoring and financial controlling. The experiences gained so far have important implications for similar future micro-hydro energy sector development projects and this paper puts forward three key messages: (i) institutional arrangements rather than technical quality determine the success of such projects: (ii) truly sustainable rural electrification through micro-hydro development demands a high level of local participation at all levels and throughout all project phases, not just after plant commissioning; and (iii) real impact and sustainability can be obtained through close collaboration of local private and financial sector firms requiring only limited external funds. In short, micro-hydro projects can and will be taken up by local investors as a business if the conditions are right. Applying these messages could result in an accelerated uptake of viable micro-hydro activities in Rwanda, and in the opinion of the authors elsewhere too. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
引用
收藏
页码:4753 / 4760
页数:8
相关论文
共 2 条
[1]  
ESSEN RWI, 2008, PSP HYDROBASELINE ST
[2]  
*WORLD BANK, 2001, AFR REG FIND RUR EL