STUDY OF MICRO-HYDRO IN PAKISTAN

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to provide the information related to Micro hydro power in Pakistan.
This paper describes how electricity is generated from the water and its feasibility in all the
cases; its potentials, cost and benefits analysis associated with the project. Small hydro projects
have been recognized at an early stage to be of considerable importance to the Himalayan
countries like Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan.
Electricity from natural resources such as hydro constitutes an environmentally acceptable and a
reliable resource of energy. Its utilization is generally considered economically beneficial in long
term rather than short term.
Introduction
Hydropower is one of the most important energy resources for ecologically sensitive. Micro
means small and hydro means water. So micro hydro power is the power generated from small
water source. Generally micro hydro is classified in the terms of productions of electricity; the
production of electricity in the range of 0-100KW can be categorized as micro hydro power
plants. The Himalayan region both from the point of view of environmentally compatible energy
supply as well as for the source for fresh water are of great importance. In history hydropower
had a greater influence on mankind making the wonders of electricity a part of everyday life
which helped to spur industrial development.


















Figure 1: Some Locations of Micro Hydro Feasible in Pakistan

In Pakistan hydropower is one of the main sources of power generation. In Pakistan total
installed capacity of electricity is about 19,478MW in which 6,696MW is generated through
hydroelectric plant. It is exploited on large scale because it is cheap and perpetual source of
energy.

How Micro Hydro Works
Micro hydro converts the kinetic energy flowing water into electricity. The electricity produced
in Pakistan from micro hydro is in the range of 3-50 KW. Discharge rate and the water head
determines the amount of electricity generated in case of micro hydro plant. Higher the water
head and greater the discharge rate and more electricity is produced.
A typical micro hydro plant includes a Fore-bay (reservoir), penstock and powerhouse. The
stream water from the hill or the canal water is made to flow through the pipe which in turns
forces the blades of turbines to rotate, that rotates the generator which is coupled with turbine
and produces electricity. The generated electricity is then transmitted to a substation where
transformation increases voltage to allow transmission to homes.















Figure 2: Component of Micro Hydro System
Micro Hydro Potential
The sky-high Hindu Kush and Himalayan range of mountains extends to Northern Areas of
Pakistan. Top of these mountains are caped with snow throughout the year. In summer it gives
birth to waterfall containing enormous power potential. If these perennial waterfalls are exploited
for the generation of electricity by installing micro hydro power (MHP) plant then they can solve
the problem of energy shortage to a large extent in geographically discouraging areas. Quiet a
significant part of Pakistan territory comprises hilly areas. Plain have well established system of
electricity supply and irrigation, supported by large dams and series of barrages. However power
supply in hilly areas is not a common feature in the country. These hilly areas receive a
significant quantum of precipitation every year. Water flowing through mountainous small rivers
and streams is a potential source for micro hydropower generation.


Pakistan Council of Renewal Energy Technologies (PCRET) a department of ministry of science
and technology , implements 290 MPH schemes in FATA and northern areas with a total
capacity of 3.5MW ranging from 3-50KW with participation of local community. All of these
plants are run-of-river type in the low to medium head range. Similarly Aga khan Rural Support
Program has initiated over 120 small hydroelectric projects in northern Pakistan, and currently
services 11,000 household with electricity in very remote locations.
Rationale
Generally mountainous areas are thinly populated. The settlements are not as concentrated as
seen in the plains. Low population and scattered settlement makes it economically unfeasible to
provide electricity supply to these communities through national grid. Since a large number of
these communities have access to potential sites, micro hydro schemes become feasible option in
these areas. Micro hydro plants, constructed in northern areas of the country are preferred on the
following ground.
It requires low capital in absolute terms and maintence, cost are also low. The unit cost of
MHP in Pakistan is currently US$ 1000-12000(PCRET).
The areas are remotely located at considerable distance from the national grid. Hence
micro Hydro power plants are the most attractive option of power generation.
The system is a decentralized one, with no dependency on the national grid.
Local resources are available to operate the system.
Mature technology with small investment risks.
The system is environment friendly as compared to large hydropower dams.
Transmission losses are small.
Local community can operate, maintain and manage the system.
Community fully participates at all levels, hence helps the system to become sustainable.
Micro Hydropower is accessible in terms of sustainability and affordability; it is a clean,
renewable and reliable energy source, which converts kinetic energy from falling water into
electricity, without consuming more water than, is produced by nature. Hydropower uses the
natural, hydrologic cycle to generate electricity.


Cardinal Aspects
The localized options like petroleum and gas powered generators cannot be considered because
of huge negative environmental impacts, high capital costs as well as forbiddingly high cost of
fuel transportation costs. This in facts translated into high-energy costs that local community
cannot bear.
According to current figures, development of even half of the worlds economically feasible
hydropower potential could reduce GHG emissions by about 13.5%. Worldwide, hydropower
plants have a combined capacity of 675,000 megawatts and annually produce over 2.3 trillion
kilowatt-hours of electricity, the energy equivalent of 3.6 billion barrels of oil.
The other local option such as solar energy is also not practical because of low level of
technology availability in the country and low quality of local human resources required to
operate and maintain the sophisticated machinery. The option of micro hydropower generation is
found economically superior to the energy importation option too because it saves on the
enormous costs of connecting power plants with the national electricity grid across the high
mountain peaks and rough terrain. This option is considered economically empowering in a
sociological sense as well because micro hydropower generation eliminates community's
dependence on power provision from outside. In a smaller way, micro hydropower has a positive
macroeconomic impact because it saves national expenditure on imported petroleum products.

Environmental Friendly
Utilizing electric energy instead of wood fuel, avoids deforestation. Deforestation results in
floods, droughts and other natural catastrophes. Unlike wood or coal burning, it causes zero
carbon dioxide emissions and other pollutants. Eventually beautifying surroundings and
promoting tourism.
Opportunities
The terrain and water resource profile of hilly areas in Northern Pakistan offers thousands of
potential sites for installation of micro hydropower. The fabrication and installation technology
and material for generation, regulation and transmission of power is available locally. Since the


human settlement pattern in most of rural Pakistan is cluster based, the localized generation of
micro hydropower is suitable for cheap and equitable transmission. Furthermore, a major
advantage of micro hydro is that it can be built locally at considerably less cost than it can be
imported, and the costs of local manufacture can be reduced still further by developing local
engineering capabilities and advisory services. For instance in Pakistan imported turbine
generating sets up to 50 kW cost approximately Rs.30, 000 to Rs.60, 000 (US$500-US$10,00)
per kW, while the local manufacturers (in Taxila) are now capable of delivering them at Rs.10,
000 to Rs.15, 000 (US$170-US$250) per kW, with marginally reduced turbine efficiencies.

Constraints
It must be kept in mind that micro hydropower is not the panacea for energy related problems of
rural communities. There are certain constraints, which put limitations on the proliferation of the
approach. First and the foremost among these constraints are the issue of scale. The amount of
electricity generated is very small in magnitude. This allows only a small number of basic
appliances to operate. Secondly, the voltage in the supply line varies with the amount of flow in
the channel. This creates seasonal as well as daily fluctuation in the power supply, making it
unsuitable for sophisticated devices. This can however be overcome through use of load
controllers.
As is evident from the very nature of the source, i.e., water, it can only operate in the areas,
which are in close vicinity of running water sources and also where the suitable topographic
conditions such as sharp gradients exist.
Conclusion
As a conclusion to the above discussion, it is observed that micro hydropower, in their
exclusivity, cannot cater fully to the future energy needs of communities. But micro hydropower
does contribute significantly to halting natural resource degradation and providing cheap energy
to rural communities (68% of Pakistan total population) at their doorstep. Thus the development
of Micro Hydropower plants should continue, with continuous research in the area of increasing
the efficiency of these plants.


According to the South Asia Development Report 1997 nearly 40% of the world's absolute poor
live in South Asia thus MHP being cheap energy source suites ideally to this region.
References:
1. Economic Survey of Pakistan: Energy Report 2004.
2. Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technologies.
3. www.pakistan.gov.pk/most/departments.jsp. (PCRET)
4. Pakistan Council for Appropriate Technology (PCAT) Sarhad Hydel Development
Organization, Pakistan. www.shydo.gov.pk (SHYDO)
5. Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of Pakistan.
6. www.most.gov.pk(MOST)
7. United Nations Organization.