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. The development of a local manufacturing base to produce low-cost equipment . Capacity building at community level to enable the replication of the technology | . The development of a local manufacturing base to produce low-cost equipment . Capacity building at community level to enable the replication of the technology | ||
==The market for micro-hydro== | ==The market for micro-hydro== | ||
Supplying improved energy services profitably to very | Supplying improved energy services profitably to very poor people who live isolated from roads and the grid is particularly challenging. Micro-hydro compares well with other energy supply technologies in these difficult markets. Despite this, energy planners frequently do not consider it as an alternative to grid expansion. Currently, micro-hydro schemes are seen primarily in terms of securing livelihoods and the development of small, profit-making businesses. The [[sustainability]] of grant-based programmes is limited, and ways must be found to attract private capital if these programmes are to have anything but a marginal impact. Another view of micro-hydro is that it should be part of the social infrastructure, a public good like health services, roads and schools. Some schemes are justified by their promoters solely in terms of their contribution to improving the quality of life through electric lighting. These two approaches are quite distinct in aims and outcomes, implying the need to make hard choices early in project design. A socially desirable end use, for instance, is lighting; but financial sustainability depends upon discovering a profitable end use. If costs for either approach appear too high for marginalised people to sustain, however, they can be significantly reduced by involving the community in project development. | ||
== Community involvement and== | == Community involvement and== | ||