Small hydropower is unique
Is the system of small hydropower (shp) stations centralised?
While the development targets, strategies, standards and policies are decided by the national government, the people and local governments (at the city or county level) take decision about implementing a project or not. Detailed river flow studies, power potential assessment and designing are also done at the local level.
Who owns shp stations?
Out of the 22,700 shp stations in 2001, as much as 58 per cent were owned and managed by the communities. The government controlled only 19.70 per cent. The policy is: "who invests and who owns, benefits'.
Who funds shp programmes?
Significant returns are obtained from shp projects' linkages with irrigation, fisheries and local industries. Therefore, funds is not a problem. Bank loans account for 38 per cent of the total investment in shp stations. Majority of the funds are mobilised locally. The state government's investment is small