Electric dreams [micro-hydroelectric plant]

Abstract

This paper discusses the story behind the successful electrification of Faseau, a remote village in Papua New Guinea. Unlike power supplies in other remote villages in the country, Faseau's installation relied entirely on voluntary labor, being funded by overseas aid donors and the community itself. While the technical features of the 7 kW micro-hydroelectric power plant project are not sophisticated, they are robust and were chosen to meet project requirements such as economy, ease of transport, installation and operation. Because the range of skills available in the village is diverse and there was no process during construction that could not be handled by local people after an initial demonstration, concerns about the sustainability of the electricity network are easily allayed.