Small Hydropower Toolkit: Considerations for Improving Global Development and an Accompanying Case Study for Pakistan

Approximately 14% of the world’s population — 1.1 billion people — live without access to any electricity, and countless more lack access to reliable electricity. This article looks at electrification opportunities via small hydropower strategically placed within rural communities. We approach the challenge through a unique blend of technical feasibility and policy/legal dimensions to create a “toolkit” that promotes small run-of-river hydropower development. This toolkit can be used by emerging economies to ensure that the necessary conditions are in place to facilitate successful development. It includes at a minimum: (1) assessment of site-specific hydropower resource potential; (2) a stable and accessible governance structure; and (3) social acceptability of development and an involved local community. Pakistan is used as a case study, because Pakistan is actively seeking to increase its power generation capacity, is rich in hydropower resources, and is in the process of amending its regulatory scheme.