Micro-Hydropower Project for Enhancing Rural Livelihood

Energy is an entry point for socio-economic development of both the society and the country. Due to uneven terrain, scattered settlement and being landlocked country, economic development is a major challenge in developing countries like Nepal. Expanding grid, development of physical structure needs a huge investment and time that nation cannot afford excluding rural people from modern facilities and supporting enhancement of their life. Development of decentralized micro-hydropower projects is one of the best options for enhancing their livelihood and providing basis energy needs for lighting, running micro-small-medium enterprises and ultimately opening the avenue of business activities in the rural area. This paper critically assesses how decentralized micro-hydropower projects enhances livelihood of people living in rural part of Nepal.