ABSTRACT
Micro-hydro equipment has widely been used for rural electrification and in many cases has been an effective way to provide electricity – especially to isolated communities. This chapter reviews situation concerning the development of minihydro and micro-hydro power in each of the three countries Thailand, Vietnam and the Lao, and discusses prospects for increased local manufacture and cooperation in the region. It illustrates how each country can benefit from the local manufacture of mini-hydro and micro-hydro equipment. The chapter describes history and present day situation concerning small-scale hydro developments and local manufacturing capabilities in the three countries. Virtually all of the equipment presently available in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic is imported, though several micro-hydro turbines have been manufactured in the Lao capital, Vientiane. Local manufacture of micro-hydro equipment in Thailand started initially with the purchase and replication of an imported Chinese turbine/generator/governor set. Many villages have experience with harnessing hydro-power in the form of mechanical water-powered rice husking devices.
