Finding Potential Sites for Small-Scale Hydro Power in Uganda: a ...

elinquish because of too expensive connection fees. Despite access to traditional energysources all interviewees agreed that there is a great need for electricity. Further, theinterview results demonstrate that access to electricity would lead to the usage of modernenergy service s, such as lighting, domestic duties and entertainment. Figure 5.3 shows indetail what the interviewees would like to use electricity for.Figure 5.3 Desired Energy Services if access to electricity.The most obvious disadvantage with electricity for the interviewees seemed to be theanxiety for accidents in form of electrocution, shortcuts and fire. Only a few wereanxious not to be able to pay for their electricity usage, because of the uncertainty inincome, while the remainder saw no negative effects at all.When implementing small-scale hydropower projects a basic condition is that the majorpart of the cost is covered by subsidies and contributions from the Government, NGOsand aid-organizations. Remaining costs must be covered by the consumer’s own liquidassets. 83% of the interviewees consider themselves to have some means to pay forelectricity and they are more than willing to pay more for electricity than they do for theircurrent energy sources.Another basic condition in order to attain a sustainable and economically viable smallscalehydropower project is non-profit participation and commitment by the consumers.95% of the interviewees were positive to the thought of, without any kind ofcompensation, continually maintain and handle service of a possible future powerstation. Our experience, from visited parts of our study area, is that all land is cultivatedand belongs to someone, which means that a certain degree of land sacrifice is necessary48