An Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF) 2019 Deep Dive Workshop

In recent years, there has been a transition to innovative ownership, management and financing models for renewable energy mini-grid development – where the income generated has been sufficient to ensure the financial viability and sustainable operations of small-scale hydro projects. The success has been achieved by a variety of enterprise-based models most appropriate for the local context, including among others, cooperatives and community-private partnerships. These approaches show evidence of improved bankability of MHP systems, with greater social and gender inclusion at the same time.

This session discussed prospects for scaling, replicating and financing such proven enterprise-based approaches to small-scale hydropower in the Asia-Pacific region, and provided development partners and professionals (both experts and generalists) an opportunity to understand recent innovative approaches to sustainable small-scale hydropower, in terms of economic viability and social impact. The session also featured key experts who have enabled enterprise-based hydro mini-grids in the Asia-Pacific region, drawn from a cross-section of government, private sector, NGOs, civil society and financiers.