Project Detail

Thulappally Micro Hydel Project.

The main aim of the project was to provide electricity for lighting and other purposes in the 500 households in Thulappally village, which is remote and isolated where there, is no electric supply so far. A micro-hydel project has been designed at Thulappaly, a remote village in Kerala. Near the village, about 70% of the periphery is reserve forest; the chances of the State Electricity Board to reach up to these areas were less.

Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Malanadu Development Society

Country:

India

Area Of Work:

Climate Change Mitigation

Operational Phase:

Phase 1

Grant Amount:

US$ 22,883.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 14,130.44

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 41,907.00

Project Number:

SGP/GEF/IND/OP1/99/KER02

Start Date:

9/1999

End Date:

3/2001

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

During the period of the project nearly USD 15,000 was raised as contribution from communities including an amount of USD 13 to USD 75as basic contributions paid by the 161 families ( the earlier who joined the electricity society paid less and the later members were charged a higher fees) to the society. The labor of nearly 10 days per person was contribution in kind shared by communities of Dam and Pipe connection. The communities contribute on a flat rate of USD 1 for a connection using 4 electricity bulbs (voltage specified) and a fan and USD 2 for a connection inclusive with a television. Nearly 70 % of the people having TV connections and hence they have a monthly collection of more than USD 45 as collection charges. The project is very effectively addressing sustainability, as even after 2 years of completion not only the society had increased its membership from 161 to 240 but also increased the installed capacity for which it has invested more than USD 8750 from its own funds for the provisions etc. Even today the confidence and the will to do and achieve is of the highest order. Even though the project only covers 50 % of the households as the others are remote, widespread and some already have electricity, the will is still to cover the remaining lot. No major accidents have taken place, as people are vigilant and disciplined in use and upkeep. The standard of living of the people of the area has been largely uplifted.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

Several meetings were held and people joined hands to contribute towards the project. Although to begin with, people were not convinced about the technology, and practically they have not seen such an endeavor. To enable community confidence in the NGO and the technology, the NGO took small development initiatives in the form of road construction, bridges were done with the support of Government. This led to greater enthusiasm and also was used as a platform to generate awareness about the negative impact of deforestation and burning of wood in the environment.

Notable Community Participation

The ?People?s initiatives in the Electricity? project stands as a ?symbol of pride and prestige? for the local people. The Thualappally Micro Hydel project is an example that proves how people?s participation and ownership developed at grass root levels can lead to results! A more process-based, learning by doing and evolving approach was followed by locals during the year long institution building.

Replication of project activities

The Thulappaly project is easily replicable as founded by the sharing of two other Micro Hydel Projects- One at Moolakkayam (Pathanamthitta Dist.) and other at Koinadu (Idukki Dist.)

Gender Focus

The village is isolated and located in a remote hilly region where there was no electric supply. The efforts have resulted in reducing drudgery in the families, especially of the women in collecting firewood.

Capacity - Building Component

This project used a process-based, learning-by-doing approach to building and operating a micro hydro plant in this community. The community invested a significant amount in the project, both financially and in-kind, with an estimated contribution of approximately $22,000. The local community has been trained in running and maintaining the power generation unit. The community now runs and maintains its own power system, and is more interested in preserving the local forest than previously. This has also reduced carbon emissions.

Project Results

The standard of living of the people of the area has been largely uplifted. Drudgery in the families has been lessened, more so of the women. The local community has been trained in running and maintaining the power generation unit. This has reduced carbon emissions and household pollution leading to better quality of air, more so while cooking. To start with 47 families joined hands and within three months the total number swelled too 161 families. The machinery design and layout was undertaken by the NGO on low-cost and nearly a saving of USD 3750 was made on turbine and allied machinery. The installation and the construction of the powerhouse were done with local contributions in kind. The project started with the installed capacity of 20 KWatts and by September 2003 it had increased to 30 Kwatts capacity and from 161 families the power is distributed to 240 families in the village. The distribution cables/lines have increased from 10 Kms to 31 Kms within the village area. This increased confidence of people in managing their own resources effectively has led the neighboring people also pursue similar projects. During the period of the project nearly USD 15,000 was raised as contribution from communities including an amount of USD 13 to USD 75as basic contributions paid by the 161 families ( the earlier who joined the electricity society paid less and the later members were charged a higher fees) to the society. The labor of nearly 10 days per person was contribution in kind shared by communities of Dam and Pipe connection. The communities contribute on a flat rate of USD 1 for a connection using 4 electricity bulbs (voltage specified) and a fan and USD 2 for a connection inclusive with a television. Nearly 70 % of the people having TV connections and hence they have a monthly collection of more than USD 45 as collection charges. The project is very effectively addressing sustainability, as even after 2 years of completion not only the society had increased its membership from 161 to 240 but also increased the installed capacity for which it has invested more than USD 8750 from its own funds for the provisions etc. Even today the confidence and the will to do and achieve is of the highest order. Even though the project only covers 50 % of the households as the others are remote, widespread and some already have electricity, the will is still to cover the remaining lot. No major accidents have taken place, as people are vigilant and disciplined in use and upkeep.

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