Projects

	Table of Contents
Home Knowledge Capture and Dissemination Strategy PEP Projects PEP News and Events   Partnerships Contact Us See also Environment Poverty Environment Net

Model Watermills for Sustainable Micro-Enterprise Development in India

The new water mills provide up to 5 kilowatts
of power.

In Uttaranchal in the Indian Himalayas, there are more than 12,000 water mills, traditionally used for grinding grain. Constructed of wood, they need annual repairs and replacement of timber. A state program began in 2002 to replace some parts with longer-lasting metal fittings and to add a turbine to produce electricity. However, it was impractical to attempt to upgrade all the mills scattered across the mountainous state.

A micro-hydropower project was carried out by the Uttaranchal Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) to complement an ADB loan for the Uttaranchal Power Sector Project by providing electricity to poor communities not covered by that project. The micro-hydropower project aimed to develop inexpensive, improved watermills for community use. The technology introduced under the project helped them access electricity for lighting, cooking, and enterprises, while reducing time spent collecting fuelwood. It has also reduced pressure on forests by replacing much of this fuelwood and lessening the need for timber for repairs. The grinding capacity of the new mills is 2-3 times that of the previous models.

One hundred technicians were trained in installation and maintenance to help spread the new watermill design, and associations of watermill owners were formed. Users in the community would share the costs and the project was designed to attract grants to help establish self-sustaining, community-owned activities. UREDA is now planning to upgrade 10,000 mills in the state using the project technology.

The experience from the project helped to form the basis for future renewable energy investments in the country.