Current status and future developments of small and micro hydro in southern Africa

Abstract

The article will investigate the different barriers in southern Africa toward (rural) electrification and the application of renewable energy technologies in general and to those hampering the uptake of small hydropower in particular. The article will describe the role of policy and regulatory frameworks, financing, local and regional human and industrial capacity, as well as the limited information available on the resource. The article will provide an overview of current developments in the different countries of the region, including the installed small and microhydro capacity and ongoing activities to increase this.