Hydropower Project Pawakola

Introduction
Pawakhola is a remote village in the Sankhuwasabha district of eastern Nepal. Twenty-one families, 104 people, no access to electricity. The Nepalese government had already turned down a request to connect the village to the national grid: too isolated, costs too high. While working on a hydroelectric project in the same valley, Seed of Light’s founders stopped in Pawakhola. The villagers had just one request: could it come here too?

Execution
The project was carried out in partnership with Hydro Steels Company, already a partner in the valley. The system draws on two nearby streams with sufficient year-round flow and a head of 90 meters to power a 2 kW Pelton turbine. Materials were carried on foot from the nearest road, ten hours away. Construction involved local labor. Upon completion, village operators were trained in routine maintenance, and the plant was handed over to the community.

Impact
Twenty-one homes and the school are now connected to the local grid. Every family has lights and outlets. The estimated cost of the energy produced is around 0.01 CHF per kWh. Annual routine maintenance is estimated at less than one franc per person. Management of the plant is now entirely in the hands of the community.

Fact Sheet