Hydropower Potentials in Africa: Integration of Stand-Alone and Mini Grid to Power System

Power generation is becoming an issue of concern in developing world, especially in Africa. There is tremendous population growth in addition to a progressive rise in the use of electronic devices which has contributed to a greater energy consumption and need. The three focuses of the strategic electricity plan, namely, supply option, demand management option and the demand forecasting option are being frustrated with load shedding management options. Energy is available and enormous, but the challenge of converting from its existing form to useful form in the form of electricity has to be addressed if power for all is going to be a reality. Hydropower (HP) is clean, available, reliable, adequate and renewable. It is established that about 70% of the earth's surface is covered by water. Engaging small hydropower (SHP) schemes will go a long way solving the menace. Many developed countries have installed stand-alone and mini grid system with great success. With the enormous untapped potentials in Africa, it is time we localise installation of SHP, which is cheaper and requires little technical know-how or skilled labour instead of depending on large scale HP which takes years to install and also capital intensive even for nations to handle.