Completion of the first community-owned and operated micro-hydro power system in Sarawak last year was a major accomplishment for the remote village of Long Lawen. With 24-hour electricity illuminating all 75 households and a growing community reserve fund generated by the system, Long Lawen is now a model showcasing the potential benefits of small-scale hydro power.

While success at Long Lawen marks a significant milestone for the Borneo Project and Green Empowerment—two US-based groups who partnered to provide funding, training and technical oversight—it is only one step toward the ultimate goal of transferring hydropower skills and capacity to local organizations. To this end, the Borneo Project and Green Empowerment have embarked on a second micro-hydro project in Sabah in partnership with Partners of Community Organizations (PACOS), a community development organization based in Sabah’s capital of Kota Kinabalu.

In March, project consultant, Joseph Richards, spent several weeks with PACOS technicians, teaching them how to conduct comprehensive site surveys and community electrical need assessments. Equipped with new skills from this training and a flow meter donated by the Borneo Project, PACOS identified and surveyed three candidate sites. As a result of the surveys, the Renewable Energy Team has decided to pursue in Kampung Terian, a Kadazan Dusun village with the best potential. A 5 kW system will be installed in the well-organized 30-family settlement, a seven-hours’ trek from the nearest power grid on the outskirts of Kota Kinabalu. The two neighboring communities, who use the school, as well as flying doctor and church facilities located there, will also indirectly benefit from the project.

In May, Green Empowerment organized a regional training workshop on the Indonesian island of Java to emphasize the electrical and mechanical aspects of micro-hydro power development. Topics discussed included: critical community management and development issues, such as electricity rate structure determinations, sustainable end uses and environmental protection. Two technicians from PACOS attended the workshop alongside other NGO participants from Indonesia and Philippines.

While seed money for the Terian project has been secured, funds are needed to cover additional training, equipment and "bricks and mortar" costs. If you are interested in learning more or have ideas about how to support the Community Micro-Hydro Program, please contact the Borneo Project.