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Community Micro Hydro for Rural Electrification in Kg. Songkok and

Kg.Orang Asli Tanjung Rambai, Ulu Langat

Introduction

Malaysia is blessed with high volume of rainfall every year and topographic condition is hilly

and mountainous. These areas are also rich in water; forest other biological resources that

sustain the livelihoods of many indigenous communities. Many of these communities are

very remote and dispersedly located on these hilly and mountainous areas, making it

challenging in terms of development.

In this new era of information and

communication technology (ICT),

electricity supply is the most essential

infrastructure for development. Electricity

is also the key infrastructure enhancementto provide opportunity for job generation

and vital income for village residents.

However, numerous rural indigenous

communities in Malaysia are without

electricity services, which are a limiting

factor in socio-economic development,

education, and healthcare.

Rural electrification through conventional methods such as grid connection and diesel

generators is either very costly, or - in the case of grid extensions simply not in the plans for

the foreseeable future. These conventional methods result in emissions that are harmful tohuman health and the environment. With the rise of fuel prices in recent year rendering many

isolated diesel generators un-operational due to high maintenance cost. Even new solar

hybrid systems are affected by the cost since these systems still runs almost 50% on diesel

during rainy days; where in remote areas in Sabah and Sarawak average rainy days are almost

all year long!

With the rise of fuel prices, diesel generators

become an economic burden on low-income

families remote rural communities have to pay

more to enjoy diesel and petrol-fueled electricity

supply, eliminating the economic benefits ofelectricity. The additional costs very often cover

the long distance transportation. Hence they pay

twice or more the actual market price for every

liter to power generators, often for less than six

hours a day. Already burdened by poverty,

paying such a high cost for energy is like

rubbing salt to their financial wound.

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Community Based Micro Hydro power

This project is build upon the 5 successful Community Micro Hydro implemented by

TONIBUNG in Sabah and Sarawak namely Kg. Bantul, Pensiangan, Kg. Terian

Penampang Kg. Buayan Penampang in Sabah, Long Lawen, Belaga and Bario in

Sarawak. The proposed project on the Micro Hydro is a multifocal project whichaims at addressing: (a) a community-based watershed management system; (b)

conservation and sustainable use of the biodiversity; and (c) the promotion of

alternative income generation and sustainable livelihood through environmentally

sound socio-economic activities that will mitigate the contribution towards the

impacts on climatic changes.

In todays era of information and communication technology, electricity supply is the most

essential infrastructure for development. Electricity is also the key infrastructure

enhancement to provide for job opportunity and vital income for village residents. However,

numerous Indigenous Peoples communities living in rural areas in Malaysia are still without

electricity services, which are a limiting factor in socio-economic development, education,and healthcare.

This project will be collaboration with Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC) an

organisation based in Subang Jaya, Selangor dedicated to support and advocate for

Orang Asli issues with TObpinai NIngkokoton KoBUruon kampuNG

(TONIBUNG) or friends for Village Development based in Penampang, Sabah

dedicated in promoting appropriate technologies for sustainable development and

supporting Indigenous Communities. This project will jointly develop a three

kilowatt (3 Kw) Micro Hydro system for the villages, based on the volume of water

and elevation available, for the basic lighting needs of the local communities. The

general lighting will improve the basic health aspect of the communities, in addition

to providing alternative income generation and sustainable livelihood of the

villagers.

Additionally, COAC through this proposed project will empower the community and the

villagers with the confidence to undertake, manage and mobilize their own people to

work towards the completion of this Micro Hydro project, with the technical

assistance of TONIBUNG. The Micro Hydro project will have the potential of

driving machines that will, in effect, have far-reaching socio-economic

implications. This will directly contribute in terms of sustainable livelihood such as

small cottage businesses from the available energy. These livelihood activities willbe a viable income generating option for the communities, especially for the women.

Furthermore, the proposed project has the

potential of educating, motivating and

committing the villagers to the preservation of the

forests and the conservation of the biodiversity

within the vicinity of the village. The proposed

project will initiate the villagers to set aside land

for the cultivation of herbal plants, i.e., traditional

medicine gardens, that will in turn, promote the

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general health of the villagers and preserve their indigenous botanical and pharmaceutical

knowledge.

What is Micro hydro power?

A micro hydro power system harnesses the kinetic energy of fast flowing water using aturbine and converts it into mechanical power. The mechanical power then can be used

directly to drive agro processing

equipment such as rice mills or to

turn a generator to produce

electricity. Because of the size,

the system is very cost effective

and easy to operate and maintain

making it ideal for electrification

in remote and isolated

communities. In the advancement

of the digital technology, Microhydro digital load control system

has evolved Micro hydro power

into a system that is very reliable

and requires very low

maintenance.

Fig 1: Typical setup of micro hydro system

A micro hydro system is environment friendly since it does not require any dams that will

obstruct water flow and submerge vast areas because it is designed based on the available

flow of the river. It is carefully designed that not more than 60% of the water flow should be

used to ensure that the river continues to flow and support aquatic life. A small diversion weir

is all that is needed to divert water to an intake then to a penstock pipe that will run the

turbine (fig.1). This system does not conflict with the regulations of the Drainage and

Irrigation Department (DID). As a solution,

community-based Micro Hydro projects

emphasize the peoples participation in all aspects

of project conceptualization, design, installation,

and implementation. These projects have the

greatest likelihood of long-term successful

operation because community residents are

invested in designing and maintaining thesystems. Since they have invested their time,

energy, and resources into project development,

they have ownership over the project and work to

keep it successfully running over the long term.

(Micro Hydro installation in Kg. TerianPenampang Sabah)

The micro hydro system will directly serve the communities through increased capacity and

the availability of electricity, clean water, and agro-processing equipment powered by the

new electricity system. The villagers will be the direct beneficiaries of the trainings that are

designed and intended to empower the entire community at large.

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Top two photos during site visit and consultations with

the community in Kg. Tanjung Rambai, Hulu Langat.

Above is the similar micro hydro turbine for this project

Bottom left is the water fall at the proposed micro hydro

site. Middle left is the view of the village and

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