Institutional Strengthening for AKRSP Micro-Hydro Programme

Tony Woods, Team Leader, technology transfer and training in using improved electronic control equipment
Ann McLean, Social surveys, electricity consumer training especially with secluded women, institutional strengthening with social mobilisers to integrate energy and livelihoods programmes

This project proceeded from identification of possible improvements in the village electrification program run by the AKRSP in the Chitral Valley in North Pakistan. The local engineers and social organisers required training in integration of the program activities in order to maximise the development impacts of electronically controlled reliable electricity from community managed installations. These areas included training in new control technology, aspects of turbine design, improving the efficiency of low voltage distribution systems, powerhouse safety, energy management and planned maintenance. Technical inputs included writing technical training manuals and the preparation of training materials for use for the future replication of the training. Social and community development activities included training master trainer social mobilisers and engineers in integrated development planning to maximise use of the micro-hydro installations to improve livelihoods.

• Project identification and proposal writing
• Identification of training needs and providing hands on and classroom training where required.
• Training in micro hydro turbine setup and operation.
• Efficient practices in cable splicing and jointing, electrical and powerhouse safety, switchboard wiring and electronic load governor setup.
• Training of master trainer engineers in efficient power generation and distribution techniques, safety, power management and utilisation and maintenance; integration of operations with social mobilisers' activities
• Training social mobilisers in consumer education to assist power planning, load management and socially and environmentally beneficial uses of power.