A Village Getting Electricity from Hydroelectric Project doesn't have to be Hard

 The emerging story of a village in transformation through improved access to clean energy 35kW mini-hydropower generated and distributed to an entire village. The village is situated in Nyanza province, Siaya County in the Ugenya constituency called Magoya Konjra Hareka. Thanks to a knowledgeable-minded person and the supportive funding from USADF the innovation of the mini-hydropower generation and distribution has come to pass and indeed it's a success but before success, there were so many challenges faced before the great success.

Challenges Faced

• Finance was the highest challenge for the community were by the original funding partner institution that financed the initial ground breaking works including the turbine house left the community mid-stream when it was discountinued. By the time of its disbandment they had only received 40% of the project cost. When USADF agreed to assist on funding of the hydropower generation and distribution project the funds received were not sufficient to complete the initial stalled works. The community had to opt for a smaller 35kW system that the available funds could do.
• Dealing with problems health issues; there were so many cases of reduced lung function, increase in asthma and tuberculosis, and also cataract conditions in the community.

Challenges the community overcame were

Due to the original funding partner institution that financed the initial ground breaking works including the turbine house left the community mid-stream when it was discontinued. By the time of its disbandment they had only received 40% of the project costs, the entry of USADF helped resolve this problem and through this funding the purpose has been realised.

Other Challenges

Currently the river has been diverted to accommodate construction of a weir for a major water supply, but  this challenge is short term because upon completion it will serve the communities 35kW system and  support the original 700kW system. To counter  this temporal challenge the community is working on an alternative supply system involving 31KVA thermal generator and a 23kW solar systems. Both are already on the ground.

Problems the community was trying to solve through this project

In Magoya Konjra Hareka most households used kerosene lamps and firewood, fired cook stove  through the emission of fine particulates, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide and sulfur dioxide these by-products are a health concern in which it reduces lung function, increase risks of asthma, tuberculosis and also causes  cataract conditions  this is an eye condition which has caused many people from the area to  wear spectacles due to the high use of kerosene lamps during their  school days. The kerosene lamp has caused a lot of harm, the community has reported cases of induced Pneumonia due to ingestion of kerosene and inhalation of kerosene fumes emitted from the traditional wick kerosene lamps. The use of kerosene lamps is common in the area and it remains the main source of light for the households that are currently located outside the coverage area of the national electricity grid.

Kerosene Lamps

    

 Through this challenges that the community faced they understood the need of  accessing clean energy source to light their homes and this is how.

Action Taken

After the community understood the advantages of acessing clean energy for lighting their households they applied for funding and they indeed got the financial support from United States Africa Development Foundation (USADF) . The funds have been applied to develop and construct an intake works, headrace, penstock system and also the purchase and installatio of a 35kW generator turbine unit as well as the installation of 5000 meters power distribution network, because the community had an initiative that they wanted to achieve they contributed manual labour and funds for household connections and internal electrical wiring and the construction of the  generator house.  

 Power generation system a turbine 

Penstock of a power generation system

 

Sourcing distribution network  materials

Power supply to household's 

    

    

Through their hard work and never-ending determination they succeded on the generation and distribution of the hydropower project.

A run-off the river 35kW mini-hydropower generation system on River Nzoia has been installed, tested and commissioned. This is linked to a 5000 meter low voltage power distribution network designed to reach 300 households but currently connecting 125 houses; 70% of whom are widowed women.

The light indeed has been a relief to many in the community as they express their appreciation and delight on the changed lighting system at their disposal, this has created a buzz within the neighbouring communities and the country. The mini-hydropower generation and distribution  has made possible access to bright light that is clean and does not pollute their environment and through this the community will overcome the unceasing cataract illness and persistent respiratory conditions that has been disorienting the community for long. 

  

Through this hydropower generation and distribution project the area has witnessed a great number of visitors curious to sample what to many was an exploit reserved strictly for government system.