Community co-operation key to successful micro-hydel programme

摘要

The 4,500 square mile district of Chitral in Pakistan has now got the highest concentration of micro-hydropower in the world, with a total production of around 2.5 megawatts. In addition, 3 larger government hydels produce a total of 3.9 megawatts. It is the result, says Brad Friesen, a micro-hydropower (MHP) Consultant with Intermediate Technology Consultancy, of a successful programme managed by the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP). Over the last ten years, AKRSP and other organisations have between them built 205 micro-hydels in Chitral, and more are under construction. These micro-hydropower units (MHU) are providing electricity to 14,000 of the district's 42,492 households.