This paper discusses the small scale hydropower in Sub-Saharan African region and its potential in alleviating electricity supply shortage especially in rural communities. The paper contributes towards expanding the knowledge base on Small Hydropower (SHP) technology in Africa. The lack of information on possible renewable energy technologies is one of the barriers on the uptake of renewable energy technologies for modern power supply on the continent. The paper describes the rural electricity scenario in SSA and small scale hydropower technology, potential, application status, and challenges in the region.
Full text available at http://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.renewable.energy/2012/132606.pdf
The importance of renewable energy such as small hydropower for sustainable power generation in relation to its capacity to contribute towards alleviating acute shortage of rural electricity supply in the sub-Saharan African region has been discussed. A relatively comprehensive small hydropower technology review has been presented. Rural electricity supply scenario in the region has been presented and, in general, the region has very low electricity access levels coupled with various challenges. Small
hydropower technology has been discussed as one of the promising decentralised power generation system for rural electricity supply in the region. Despite challenges in data acquisition, this paper has shown that the SSA has significant hydropower resources, but the level of installation is very low. Challenges hampering SHP technology development in the region have been identified and discussed, such as those concerning technology, climate change, finance, and policy. This is basically a paper where the authors consulted a wide range of literature including journals, conference proceedings, and reports as well as expert knowledge in the area. It is hoped that this paper contributes to the information base on SHP technology which is quite lacking in the region.
NORAD's Energy and Petroleum Programme