Status of rural electrification in the ‘Heart of Borneo’: Role of micro hydro projects
Murni, S., Whale, J., Davis, J.K., Urmee, T. and Harries, D. (2010) Status of rural electrification in the ‘Heart of Borneo’: Role of micro hydro projects. In: Solar2010, 48th AuSES Annual Conference, 1 - 3 December, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
|PDF - Published Version |
Download (1045kB) | Preview
Rural electrification is a significant component of economic and sustainable development strategies for many countries. However in remote rural areas, utilisation of local natural energy resources is often both economically and technically more feasible than extending a national grid. The results of initial field research into the role of micro hydro electricity generation in the Lawas District of Sarawak, Malaysia are reported in this paper. Site visits, energy audits, questionnaires and interviews were undertaken to explore how micro hydropower systems could assist rural villages obtain electricity. The respondents in these remote villages want the government to deliver more projects which harness local free renewable energy to meet their needs for electricity. Small “ad hoc” projects from a variety of proponents have had mixed results. To deliver a sustained electricity supply that meets the community’s needs, a micro hydro project needs to be planned carefully, addressing potential points of failure before the project is implemented.
|Publication Type:||Conference Paper|
|Murdoch Affiliation:||Institute for Sustainability and Technology Policy|
School of Engineering and Energy
|Item Control Page|