Written by Pranai Thapa
BORDA Partner - LEDeG
Pangbar and Yarkashing are neighboring hamlets in Kargil District, about 82 kms south of Kargil Town. They experience heavy snowfall and remain isolated throughout winter. Until 2005, one had to walk 12 kms from the village to the nearest motorable road. Now the road reaches the village. The population of the 2 hamlets is about 350, each hamlet consisting of 20 households. The main income of these communities is from agriculture and daily wage labour. Agriculture is of subsistence type consisting mainly of crops such as barley, wheat, peas and some vegetables. Due to the short farming season, only a single crop is possible in a year. The primary source of water for agriculture is mainly glacier melt from the nearby Pangbar Tokpo.
Pre-Micro Hydro Energy situation in the Village
Until 2005, the only source of energy in the village was solar powered home lighting systems and kerosene lamps. The solar home lighting systems provided free of cost by Government agencies lasted only about 8 years, now they have become defunct. These solar home lighting systems provided only enough energy to light 2 CFL bulbs of 15 watts per household. Subsequently, the villagers resorted to use of mostly kerosene lamps to meet their extra energy demand. This resulted in high recurring expenses as well as adverse affects on health.
Micro Hydro Power Unit in the village
The potential for installation of the micro hydro power unit (MHPU) in Pangbar and Yarkashing was feasible due to its perennial supply of water from a spring, which rarely freezes in winter. The designed MHPU has a capacity of 5 kVA which supplies effective and efficient electricity for lighting and operating end-use machines like flour mills,, butter churners and electrical wool spinning machines throughout the year. The surplus power generated is used for income generation activities such as operation of flour mills and butter churners..
Initial study and assessment for feasibility of Micro-Hydro Unit
LEDeG conducted a pre-feasibility and detailed feasibility study in 2005 for possible implementation of MHPU in the village. The feasibility study consisted of need analysis and technical feasibility of the MHPU. The initial findings of the study indicated that nearly 40 households were in need of electricity for lighting in the evening as well as income generating.
Parellely, a technical feasibility study was conducted by a technical team from LEDeG. The primary data on hydrology, topography and geology were collected and analysed to ascertain the maximum and minimum discharge of water and to determine the geological aspects of the Project.
Social Feasibility Study
A social feasibility study was also conducted by LEDeG for assessing income, water rights and intra village dynamics. After all the social components were clarified, LEDeG initiated mobilisation of the community for the implementation of the MHPU. An agreement between LEDeG and the villagers for implementing the MHPU was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to proceed further. The MoU describes the formation of an Electricity Management Committee (EMC) for operating and managing the MHPU, appointment and salary fixation of the Operator by members of EMC, responsibilities for maintenance and monitoring of the unit by EMC members, fixation of monthly tariff for users of electricity and up-dating LEDeG regularly.
Financial Aspects of the Project
The total estimated cost of the project was Rs. 530,508/- for the complete installation of MHPU.
The cost sharing mechanism is as follows:
1. LEDeG’s Contribution = Rs, 22,000/-
2. Project Contribution = Rs, 2,05,700/-
3. The villager’s contribution =Rs,3,02,802/- (in terms of kind and cash contributions)
Procedures for Social mobilisation
As a part of the social component of the SOP, the first step was to have an open interaction with the community to discuss the project. Several meetings were held to form EMC (Electricity Management Committee) and for the community contribution.
The general procedure for social mobilisation and institutionalisation of LEDeG are:
1. Conduct village meetings
2. Explain project implementation details and community contributions
3. Arrive at a general agreement with village heads and villagers
4. Facilitate formation of EMC in the village
5. Finalise MoU with all the stake-holders involved in the project
6. Mobilise the community for all the necessary contributions required from them
7. Manage and coordinate for contributions
8. Provide all the necessary capacity building training on management and the like for the newly formed EMC
9. Signing of the MoU
Outcomes
After the successful installation of the Unit, it was found that the 5kW Unit could produce up to 4.5 kW depending on water availability. The average use of the village is 3 kW in total, leaving 1.5kW surplus. The Unit was commissioned on December 14th, 2005.
The main outcomes of this project were:
• 31 house-holds are electrified
• The only school in the village has been electrified
• The Masjid (Prayer hall) of the village is electrified
• The electricity from the MHPU replaced kerosene lamps and solar home lighting systems
• The excess electricity produced is used for providing basic needs services like running flour mills and heating water by using a water boiler.
Major Impacts
Three years of operation has shown positive impacts in terms of social, economic and environmental aspects. These impacts have improved the living conditions of the villagers as compared to the past.
Social impacts
The most important social impact is that the electricity has acted as a catalyst to bind the community together through increased social gatherings particularly in the evenings. For example, due to availability of lights, it is possible to extend marriage celebrations, religious festivals and village meetings. The electricity also enables the villagers to install a community television, bringing the villagers together for a joint entertainment after a hard day’s work. This initiative also attracted villagers from the nearest hamlet to media such as a television does not only serve as entertainment but also serves as an informative source for obtaining information on opportunities for the village such as government schemes like NREGS ( National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme), etc..
Another social impact is that the students in the village are able to contribute more time to studies.
Now, the availability of electricity provides solutions to most of the problems regarding health and hygiene conditions in the village. Electricity has replaced the harmful kerosene lamps that emitted harmful fumes. It also provides sufficient lighting for women to work efficiently in the evenings.
Economic Impact
The installation of the MHPU has enabled the villagers to work for longer periods in the evenings. The working period has increased by almost an average of 2 hours per evening. The village has 31 households receiving electricity and we can safely assume one person per family with increased working hours. Thus, the village has 6200 extra working hours which in monetary terms will be equal to 6200/8 *150 = Rs. 116550/- (The average wage that a person in the village earns is around Rs.150 per day for an 8 hour shift).
Further, the MHPU installation has helped micro-enterprises like flour grinding mills.. The traditional water mill takes around 24 hours to grind 2 quintals (200 Kg) of wheat and barley. The improved flour mills have increased efficiency by reducing the time to grind 2 quintals from 24 hrs to 2 hrs. Thus, it has not only saved time but also enabled the promoter (EMC) to earn additional income of about Rs.5000/- per annum..
The MHPU has also enabled two villagers to purchase butter churners which allows each household to churn their butter efficiently in less time while earning extra income from it. The butter churners are hired out to other households at a minimum charge of Rs.5 per household per day. One of the promoters of the butter churner lending business is Mr. Mohamad Ibrahim. He manages to earn an extra income of Rs.1000/- per annum through this business.
The MHPU also enabled installation of a community water heater. This community water heater has been installed at the Masjid (Prayer hall) in the village. The Prayer Hall Committee charges Rs.10 /- per bath and Rs.5/- for washing hands and feet before entering.. The Committee has exempted children and women from paying the fee. Since the MHPU runs through the year, the community water heater has become an important source of income especially during the winter.
