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| Sunday, 16 March 2003 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Low-cost hydro electricity project gains community support by Vimukthi Fernando
"Now we can offer our visitors an iced soft drink or a meal with fish or meat" beams Suneetha (24). That is the highest form of hospitality offered in honour of visitors to Athula Uda, Handunella in Kitulgala. They used to trek six kilo metres of hilly and rocky terrain all the way to the main road, and then to Kitulgala, the nearest town for a choice morsel of fish. When a special occasion called for, they travelled 30 miles to Awissawella by bus spending half the day to purchase some meat. "Electrification" was the choice word of all politicians local, provincial and national regardless of party differences, to entice votes off this village. However, 'electricity' was a dream, which did not come true for many a decade. Though lying only 6 km off the main road and therefore, the national grid, Handunella was deemed 'unreachable' for the costs involved (Rs. 7 million) in extending the national grid. That is when a philanthropist who was also involved in politics "introduced us to a private consultancy involved in mini hydro projects", says the president of the Handunella Electricity Cooperative. "When we were contacted, a feasibility study was conducted and we provided them with technical assistance every step of the way", says S.M.G. Samarakoon, Director, Consultancy and Professional Services (CAPS) Pvt. Ltd. It was not at all easy. Though the initial plan contained 100 households, political interference promising electricity from the main-grid made 50 households opt out. The plant was down-sized, catering 50 households. An initial lump sum of Rs. 2,500 was collected from each and a limited liability company was formed with 8 directors to facilitate obtaining credit facilities. With a low interest loan of Rs. 800,000 and a grant of Rs. 400,000 under the Energy Services Delivery (ESD) Project's credit programme, work commenced with the necessary technical support from CAPS. The consultants assured that technical standards were met at each and every point. Total cost of the project amounted to Rs. 1.5 million (approximately US $ 15,000) and the villagers contributed their share of Rs. 300,000 through various means. Handunella micro-hydropower plant was officially inaugurated on June 24, 2000.
And now, 50 households within a periphery of 1.5 km from the power-house enjoy the benefits, paying a blanket sum of Rs. 375 per month for electricity consumption. The cost is "only 2/3 of what we spent on kerosene. More than 01 bottle per day was needed for lighting and it cost about Rs. 600. Watching television was even more expensive. We had to spend about Rs. 40 to 50 every 20 days to charge the battery and an additional Rs. 60 or so, for transportation." says Mudalige, relieved of his financial burden. With electrification, the village boasts of 8 televisions, 14 refrigerators and many a household electrical appliance such as fans, blenders and video/cassette players. On average they use about 5 bulbs ranging 20 W and above for lighting. Many are aware of the energy conserving fluorescent bulbs and had agreed to employ other energy conserving methods such as switching off refrigerators between 5.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m, when the demand for power is at its highest. "Our lifestyle is definitely better after electrification," says Suneetha. The village battery charging unit offers its services at a nominal price (Rs. 40 for a 60 Amp battery) making life easy for those who live off limits of the power lines. The whole village, and even the surrounding villages enjoy indirect benefits of electrification. "We want to install a coffee grinding machine in the village and provide electricity to the school and the temple as well", says Mudalige. The two village boutiques now offer iced drinks, ice-cream, dairy products, fish and meat which were extreme rarities beforehand. "The refrigerator increased my monthly income by about Rs. 150 to 200 per month" claims Dayaratne, who started his boutique in 1979. He happily complies with the agreement of paying an extra Rs. 50 for the additional electricity consumption for his refrigerator. "It is only if you use it for commercial purposes." The village unites in carrying out the responsibilities of operation and maintenance of the power project. With necessary technical training, by CAPS, Karunarathe, Plant Operator carries out line cleaning and fault clearing. He pays 4 visits to the power house every day and conducts regular inspections of the power lines. His services are valued with a monthly pay of Rs. 2,500 and free electricity for his house. The monthly levy Rs. 375 is collected on time and used to repay the loan they obtained. The villagers enjoy the benefit of "no electricity cuts" an impediment, if the connection is from the national grid. Meanwhile the 50 householders who opted out from the scheme at its initiation 5 years ago, also plan a micro-hydro project using a waterfall Gonakepu Ella situated in the vicinity. "Since there is a power crisis in the country this is very good. We are proud that we could save a lot of money for the country. Whereas connecting the village to the national grid would have cost Rs. 7 million we could electrify the village with 1.5 million," says M.D. Anandalal, a member of the board of directors. And, in an era when renewable energy is becoming the most sought out energy solution, with minimal emissions of greenhouse gases, wouldn't these small scale, off-grid, 'green' power schemes be the ideal, not only for Sri Lanka, but for any other country in the face of a war in the oil producing regions and the gloom of global warming and climate change? |
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