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

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As described in chapter 3.3.3 all referenced authors conclude that energy and electricityplays an important role in economic growth and rural development. As Porcaro andTakada (2005) writes, the most evident impacts of modern energy services are that theystimulate income generating businesses at local level, improve education, gender equalityand health. Even though Holland et al. (2001) argues that electricity will not initiatedevelopment, it can stimulate development that is already taking place. In order fordevelopment to take place through access to electricity, we believe that some kind ofbasic economic condition as well as knowledge about the field of application is anecessity. The electricity would be of no use in a village where there are; no means to buyapplications such as light bulbs or refrigerators or no knowledge of for example toolupgrading (electrical trimmers, lathes etc.), which will increase productivity.When interviewing the Rural Electrification Agency we found that the RuralElectrification Strategy and Plan does not contain any plans or projects to assist ruralelectrification through implementation of small-scale hydropower stations. Instead theirmain approach is to extent the existing grid, but also mini-grids and photovoltaic units.We consider the grid extension to be a good strategy although it might take a long timeto electrify all of Uganda, since it seems to be a rather time-consuming process and alsodifficult and expensive to reach remote areas. In order for the development to progress,we therefore believe that the REA should use small-scale hydropower as a complement,both during and after the grid extension, since it is efficient, reliable, relatively cheap andenvironmentally friendly.The performed interviews identify an existing need for electricity among the ruralpopulation in Uganda. This need is a foundation for projects such as small-scalehydropower to be successfully implemented. Even though the people concerned havesome means to pay for the projects, another prerequisite that must be fulfilled is that aproper financing system is available. This could be arranged through either governmentalsupport, such as the grants from the Rural Electricity Fund, subsidies from aidorganizations or private investors and micro credits.64
7 ConclusionsThe objectives of this study were to identify potential sites for small-scale hydropower inour study area, to develop a method for localization of potential small-scale hydropowersites in the developing world and to investigate the rural energy situation in Uganda. Byreaching these objectives we can now answer the questions in the introduction:o The result from our algorithm was 250 potential sites, of which we intended toevaluate 25. Because of time limitations, we were only able to evaluate 14 sites,which resulted in three approved potential sites, where the potential electricaloutput ranged between 1.9 and 48.4 kW.o By developing our method we have realized that the use of a GIS is a swift andprecise way to identify potential sites for small-scale hydropower stations.o The importance of data quality is of weight in the matter of contour data, buterrors can relatively easy be detected and edited. The quality of watercourseinput data is of major importance, since imprecise digitalization and classificationerrors would result in a totally misleading output. We therefore recommend toour method with available watercourse data in combination with a thoroughfield survey in order to ensure which sites that really have a potential for smallscalehydropower.o The result from our interviews point to an existing need for electricity in ourstudy area, which we consider to be a general opinion in rural areas of Uganda.Energy and electricity plays an important role in economic growth and ruraldevelopment. The most evident impacts of modern energy services are that theystimulate income-generating businesses at local level, improve education, genderequality and health.o The governmental action in Uganda made to assist rural electrification consistsof the Rural Electrification Strategy and Plan. The main approach is to extendthe existing grid, implement mini-grids and photovoltaic units, but there is also apossibility for private initiators to receive subsidies from the Rural ElectrificationFund.In conclusion, our method for locating potential sites for small-scale hydropower is swiftand precise, presupposed reliable input data is available. If there is a need for electricity65
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Seminar series nr 121Finding Potent
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AbstractOver 2 billion people, most
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AcknowledgmentsFirst of all, we wou
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5 Result ..........................
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For the specific case of Uganda, a
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2 Study AreaThe main reason for us
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In the 1960’s Uganda was one of t
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2.1.3 TopographyMost of Uganda is s
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Figure 2.4 The highest volcano in K
Page 26 and 27: e able to manually write the data,
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Page 38 and 39: technology was supplied to an area
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Page 42 and 43: The Rural Electrification project t
Page 44 and 45: The closer the interviewer is to th
Page 46 and 47: Over this area we bought the follow
Page 48 and 49: The primary erosive force determini
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Page 52 and 53: ivers are seasonal, since the hydro
Page 54 and 55: (a) (b) (c)Figure 4.8 An example sh
Page 56 and 57: 4.2.6 Post Processing of Output Dat
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Page 83 and 84: 9 Appendix9.1 Interview: Rural Elec
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