The implementation of micro hydro projects in remote villages on the border of Indonesia and Malaysia: Lessons learnt

Implementing micro-hydro system (MHS) in a remote or rural location in an off-grid area is a complicated process. Technical, social, economic and organisational issues need to be considered as well as the policy environment in which they are implemented. An understanding of the demand for electricity, of the benefits and impacts that they can potentially have, as well as the roles of all stakeholders in the different stages of the MHS project, are also required. This paper presents the findings of a survey of stakeholders involved with two MHS projects in the highlands of Borneo. The survey results confirm that in order to ensure project success, particular attention needs to be paid to key critical factors. The performance and reliability of the MHSs were found to be strongly influenced by the role of the local micro-hydro management committee, and the relationship between the committee and the other members of the local community. The more successful schemes tended to be associated to more proactive committees that clearly informed the villagers about the issues of MHS and its sustainability. Other factors that were found to have an influence on project success were village cultural (which was related to the size villages) and the national energy policy framework in which the programs are planned and implemented.