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Approximately 10% of the global hydropower potential is located on the African continent, with the majority of that in Sub-Saharan Africa.
However, only a low 4 to 7% of this potential has been developed [1, 2]. Generally, hydropower potential figures stated refer to large scale
hydropower only. For the African continent no proper statistics are available on the potential for small and micro scale hydropower. Common
understanding is that the rate of development of small and micro hydro is even lower than for large scale hydropower.
Small hydropower can play a pivotal role in of information does severely hamper the Small and micro hydropower in southern
providing energy access to remote areas possibility to learn from past experiences Africa
in Africa, either in stand-alone isolated and is a barrier to large uptake of small
Small hydropower is a proven, mature
mini grids or as distributed generation and micro level hydro on the continent [8].
technology with a long track record,
in national grids. The potential role of
Defining small and micro hydropower including in Africa. The gold mines at
small hydropower in eradicating energy
Pilgrims' Rest (South Africa), for example,
poverty has been recognised by a number At this stage no internationally agreed were powered by two 6 kW hydro turbines
of national governments and bi- and definitions of the different hydro sizes exist. as early as 1892, complemented by a
multilateral donors. Examples are the A generic distinction though is between 45 kW turbine in 1894 to power the first
new draft energy strategy for the World “large” hydro and “small” hydro. The most electrical railway [9]. In several southern
Bank, which does specifically highlight generally accepted definition of “small” African countries church missions did
small scale hydropower as an important has been set by the World Commission on build small hydropower installations, like in
component of future World Bank activities Dams, which set the upper limit for small Tanzania where church missions installed
in Africa [3], Belgian support for small hydro at 10 MW of installed capacity, more than 16 small hydropower systems
hydro development in Mozambique [4] although large countries as China and during the 1960s and 70s that are still
and EU support for a regional microhydro India tend to put the limit higher at operating [10]. Another example is large
project in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and 50 MW and 25 MW respectively. Recently scale commercial farmers in the Eastern
Malawi [5]. some international donors seem to use Highlands of Zimbabwe that installed hydro
The large knowledge base on technical a maximum capacity of 15 MW when stations as early as the 1930s [11].
aspects of microhydro in general does referring to small hydro.
Many countries in Africa do have a rich
suggest a proper understanding of the Within the range of small hydro, distinction histor y of small scale hydropower, but
technology. However, the relatively small can be made between mini hydro over time large numbers of these stations
number of small and micro hydropower (often limited to an installed capacity of have fallen in disrepair. Some because
projects implemented in the region does the national grid reached their location,
maximum 1 MW), micro hydro (below 300
not reflect the enormous potential for the some because a lack of maintenance or
or 100 kW depending on the definition)
technology, suggesting that other barriers even pure neglect. Recently initiatives have
and pico hydro (below 20, 10 or 5 kW),
than the technology itself still persist. seen the light in a number of countries
each with its own specific technical
in Africa to revive the small hydro sector,
Although small hydropower projects have characteristics. Micro and pico hydro
either through international development
been implemented in several countries installations are mostly found in developing
agencies or through private sector led
on the continent, information on the countries for energy provision to isolated
initiatives. Particular in Central Africa
current state of affairs is scattered and communities where the national electricity
(Rwanda), East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania
incomplete. To a (ver y) limited extend grid is not available, whereas mini hydro and Uganda) as well as Southern Africa
information is available on technical tends to be grid connected. Micro and (Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe) new
details of implemented projects, however, pico hydro can also differ from mini hydro initiatives are focusing on implementing
information on implementation models due to the extended possibility of using small hydropower projects, while in South
followed and their successfulness is local materials and labour in the case of Africa the first new small hydro station in
not available in most cases [6,7]. first two, while mini hydro typically involves 20 years was opened in 2009, with more
Basic technical information on existing more traditional engineering approaches under development.
hydrostations might be available, but is and will usually need for example heavy
definitely not complete nor consistent over access roads for delivery of materials and Barriers
the different information sources. This lack electro-mechanical equipment. Most of the challenges facing small
hydropower exploitation are not specific
to hydropower but generic for all types of
renewable energy and rural electrification
projects. General barriers for renewable
energy projects are the absence of
clear policies on renewable energy,
limited available budget to create an
enabling environment for mobilising
resources and encouraging private sector
investment, and the absence of long-
term implementation models that ensure
delivery of renewable energy to customers
at affordable prices while ensuring that the
Fig. 1: Farm near Sabie. Fig. 2: Friedenheim powerhouse. industry remains sustainable.
Fig. 6: Tungu-Kabiri opening spillway. Fig. 7: Mantsonyane in Lesotho. Fig. 8: Svinurayi turbine.
Tariffs (REFIT) for a selected number of Water Affairs and National Treasury intent African region do see different levels of
renewable energy technologies. Small to address the small scale hydro sector small hydropower development, with
scale hydropower (between 1 and 10 MW) outside the current bidding process. particular Zimbabwe and Mozambique
qualified for a REFIT of ZAR 0m94/kWh [17]. National Treasury is currently in the process showing promising developments. An
However, unclarity around the legal status of appointing the transaction advisers overview of the full region can be found
of the REFIT and who would be the buyer for this particular task and once this is in [23].
of the electricity produced prevented completed the Department of Energy is Zimbabwe has currently a number of small
PPAs from being signed for this tariff. The expected to provide guidance on the 21 hydro plants under development, with
REFIT review in 2011 did see adjustments small dams that were identified within the the 5 MW Great Zimbabwe project the
in the REFITs based on adjusted figures National Water Resources Infrastructure for most advanced, while in Mozambique
for inflation, costs of capital and other potential hydro development. government agency Fundo National
assumptions. The REFIT for small hydro de Energia (FUNAE) is in the process of
power was revised downwards with more Situation in neighbouring countries
testing different funding models for small
than 28% to ZAR 0,671/kWh [18]. The neighbouring countries in the southern hydropower.
During the same time as the REFIT review,
the South African government announced
its intention to start a competitive bidding
process for renewably generated
NEW MULTIFUNCTION
electricity. Initially it was understood that
the bidding process would focus on non- TRANSDUCERS
price criteria as local content, project
readiness, job creation potential etc., with
the price set according to the REFIT rates. TRANSDUCERS WITH DISPLAY
However, when the Request for Proposals
was issued in August 2011, it became clear
that the bids would be evaluated on a two-
stage procurement evaluation process
that includes qualifying criteria based on
economic development requirements, as
well as price. This effectively side tracked
the REFIT process [19].
References
[1] ESHA, IT Power, Small hydropower for
developing countries, (2006).
[2] Min Conf Water for Agriculture and Energy in
Africa, Hydropower resource assessment of
Africa, (2008).
[3] World Bank, Energy Strategy Approach Paper,
(2010).
[4] BTC, Mozambique-Belgium Partnership,
(2010).
Fig. 9: Tungu-Kabiri turbine.
[5] L Mika, Village hydro in Malawi, Mozambique
and Zimbabwe, (2009).
[6] M Pigaht, RJ van der Plas. ‘Innovative private
micro-hydro power development in Rwanda',
Conclusion Energy Policy. 37 (2009) 4753-4760.
The small hydro sector in the southern [7] EG Michael, “Institutional Design and Practices
for Sustainable Decentralised Energy Systems
African region is currently going through Development for Rural Electrification. The
a phase of revival due to the looming Case of Isolated Mini-Hydro Power Systems
energy generation crisis and the world wide Fig. 10: Tungu-Kabiri turbine and generator. Developed by Catholic Church Mission,
Njombe Diocese, Tanzania”, (2008) 122.
attention for renewable energy generation.
[8] M Gaul, F Kölling, M Schröder, “Policy and
Although only a small number of plants regulatory framework conditions for small
have been commissioned in the (recent) Bad maintenance after independence hydro power in Sub-Saharan Africa”, (2010).
past, it looks like a momentum is being led to the detoriation of the plant. In the [9] Eskom, “Eskom heritage: Electricity in South
created that can see larger uptake of the mid 1990s the plant was rehabilitated Africa - the early years,” 2012 (2009).
technology in the (near) future. with assistance of ITDG and new penstock [10] F Mtalo, “Small scale hydropower for rural
installed. development”, (2005).
Case studies [11] W Klunne, “ Hydro-power end-uses at
On the pictures the pelton turbine at the Svinurayi co-operative (Cashel Valley, Eastern
Case 1: Tungu-Kabiri, Kenya powerhouse and the pelton wheel itself Highlands, Zimbabwe)”, (1993).
[11]. [12] B Barta, “Capacity building in energy
In 1998 Practical Action, in collaboration efficiency and renewable energy. Baseline
with the Kenyan Ministr y of Energy and Case 3: Friedenheim, South Africa study - hydropower in South Africa”, (2002)
86.
with funding from the GEF Small Grants
The Friedenheim hydro plant on the [13] B Barta, “Renewable energy: hydropower”,
Programme at the UNDP, undertook a in: Kiderlen E, Bredenkamp B, Smith L (Eds.),
Krokodil River in Nelspruit (South Africa) is an
pilot project to illustrate the potential for The Sustainable Energy Resource Handbook.
example of a hydro plant that feeds into
decentralised microhydro schemes for South Africa Volume 2. The Essential Guide,
the national electricity grid. Friedenheim Alive2green, Cape Town, 2011, pp. 139-139-
rural, off grid electrification, with the Tungu- hydro is privately owned and operated as 151.
Kabiri community 185 km north of Nairobi a commercially profitable and sustainable [14] P Kotze, “The potential of small hydropower
as a pilot project. business venture. It is owned by the plants in South Africa”, WaterWheel. 10 (2011)
members of Friedenheim Irrigation Board 18-19, 20.
The microhydro system is fed of the local [15] DME, White Paper on Renewable Energy,
and operated by MBB, an engineering
river from which water is diverted by a small (2003).
firm. The plant is equipped with two
weir. Via a canal and a penstock the water [16] Department of Energy, Integrated Resource
1 MW Francis turbines and provides power Plan for electricity 2010-2030, Revision 2, Final
is delivered to an 18 kW turbine. The cost for water pumping to FIB, but 93% of the Report, IRP2010 (2011).
of the system was $3495 / kW installed, power generated is sold to the Nelspruit [17] NERSA, NERSA decision on renewable energy
The micro hydropower plant is owned local authority through a PPA that sets feed-in tariff (REFIT), (2009).
the tariff at 12% below the price at which [18] NERSA, NERSA Consultation Paper- Review of
and managed by the community, and
Nelspruit buys power from Eskom (its bulk Renewable Energy Feed - In Tariffs, (2011).
this complete community ownership has [19] T Creamer, Nersa set to concur with DoE on
electricity provider).
been central to the project's success. The renewables bid process, but raises questions,
day-to-day operations of the plant are Case 4: Mantsonyane hydro, Lesotho Engineering News. (2011).
managed by a 10-member community [20] Department of Energy, IPP Website, 2012
Mantsonyane Hydropower Plant was (2011).
power committee, and this committee financed by a grant from Norway and [21] DoE, Announcement of Preferred Bidders of
also conducts consultations with the is located on the Mantsonyane River in the IPP Procurement Programme - Window 2,
wider community about how the power central Lesotho. The station can operate 2012 (2012).
generated from the system should be on isolated network in case this is required, [22] DoE, IPP Small Projects, 2012 (2012).
used. The electricity is currently used for but the main operational strategy has [23] W Jonker Klunne, Current status and future
developments of small and micro hydro in
microenterprises, such as a welding unit, been daily peak lopping. The station is southern Africa, (2012).
a battery-charging station and a beauty equipped with two Francis turbines of [24] E Ebrahimian, “Community Action to Address
salon [24]. 1500 kW and 500 kW, coupled to a Climate Change: Case Studies Linking
1900 KVA and a 650 KVA generator Sustainable Energy Use with Improved
Case 2: Svunaryi cooperative, Zimbabwe Livelihoods”, E.04.III.B.3 (2003).
respectively. The power station was flooded
with water in the beginning of November [25] S Grongstad,”Mantsony'ane hydropower plant
Svinurayi co-operative is an agricultural after flooding November 2006 - draft report
co-operative near Cashel valley in the 2006 and out of operation since then. The
- diagnostic study”, (2008).
Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe. A hydro floods lasted throughout the three day [26] AfDB, Specific Procurement Notice Lesotho
installation was established in the 1930s, period 3rd to 5th November, 2006 and saw Electricity Supply Project, (2011).
the power fully inundated [25].
consisting of a 10 kVA pelton generator by Contact Wim Jonker Klunne, CSIR,
Gilkes coupled to a generator and maize Currently LEC is in the process of Tel 012 841-3993,
hammer mill. rehabilitating the power station as part of wklunne@csir.co.za