1. Off-grid
Dendro Power

2. Sri Lanka
About million households in Sri Lanka will be left without grid-connected electricity.

3. Off-grid electricity generating technologies
The approximate cost comparison
Installation costs per 1kW
Micro-hydro Rs ,000
Dendro Rs ,000
Bio-gas Rs ,000
Wind Rs ,000
Solar PV Rs 1,000,000

4. Step 1: Moneragala District participatory workshop for sensitising the district government officials, community based organisations and farmer groups - Nov 2001
Step 2: Pre-feasibility studies in four off-grid villages
Step 3: Cross checking with CEB grid extension plans
Step 4: Selection of a village for the feasibility study

5. Pilot Dendro Power Project in Wadakahakiula

6. Overall objective of the feasibility study
To examine whether necessary social conditions for setting up the proposed pilot plant exist in the village of Wadakahakiula.
An implementation plan should be developed with the active participation of intended beneficiaries and other stakeholders.
Wadagahakiula Project feasibility study: 2002 December

7. Necessary conditions Social acceptability of the community
Availability of the infrastructure for operation and maintenance of the plant,
Affordability of majority of the population to pay for electricity,
Enthusiasm of the community
To identify fuel-wood species
To assess the availability of fuel-wood in required quantities for operation of the dendro power plant.
To assess the potential for growing the fuel-wood if required

8. Necessary conditions
To review and select the most appropriate energy conversion technology
To develop preliminary design of the dendro powered electrification system
To develop, the institutional mechanisms necessary for implementation and post implementation management
To prepare cost estimates of the project
To establish a tariff structure for sustainable operation and management of the power plant

9. Study Methodology
Social assessment – 2day participatory workshop with 60 households
Questionnaire based survey of all households – survey carried out by selected village members
Fuelwood survey – based on field assessment.
Distribution system design – based on field survey
Siting of powerhouse – based on technical and social concerns
Institutional and management system – developed through a participatory workshop

10. Profile of the Village Suggested by CEB Uva office
Situated in Badalkumbura DS area
3 km away from grid
Permanent houses – 38%
Semi-permanent houses – 36%
Temporary houses – 26%
Main source of income – Pepper cultivation (68% of households)
Land ownership – 1 to 3 acres per household (74%)
Average monthly income – Rs.6000 per household
Current monthly expenditure on energy – approximately Rs.500 per household

11. Project Profile No. of beneficiary households – 100
Max. demand – 250W per house
Period of electricity demand – 5 to 7am and 6 to 10pm
Main uses of electricity – lighting, TV, Radio, iron
Technology – Gasifier system
Mode of operation – 100% gas
Fuelwood type – Gliricidia (Nanchi)
Fuelwood availability – widely grown in the village for fencing and pepper planting

12. Major Conclusions from the Feasibility Study
Community participation is active however there are no well established CBOs exist in the village.
Priority list 1- education 2- unemployment 3- electricity
Willingness to obtain electricity – 94% of the households.
Opportunities exist to initiate income-generating activities.
Affordability of households to pay for electricity is high. At least 90% of the households are able become its direct beneficiaries.
Availability of natural, human and financial resources is high.
Fuelwood supply from existing plantations is more than enough for the plant.
Dendro technology is mature for deployment in a village scheme.

13. Social Risks predicted
Grid electricity may come to the village through political interventions.
In the event of grid electricity is provided to the village, potential to access grid electricity is high because of the high affordability among people.

14. Project Parameters
Buildings
Power house (L x W x H) m x 6m x 6m

15. Project Parameters
Buildings
Fuel wood store m x 6m x 4m

16. Project Parameters
Buildings
Well (Diameter x depth) - 5m x 6m

17. Project Parameters
Distribution lines
Concrete Poles nos.
Three phase length m
Two phase length m
Single phase length m
Service cables (Insulated) m
Area targeted electrified km radius
Distribution 15% net kW
Per h/h power allocation W
Cables ,352,622.00
Poles ,021,500.00
Labor ,935.00
Other ,926.00
Total ,538,983.00

18. Project Parameters
Power plant capacity kW
Net out put kW
Prime Generator kVA
Machinery
System Installation
Electrical equipment and installation
Accessory Diesel Gen set

19. Summary - Project Expenses (SLRs)
A. Feasibility study
778,077.43
B. Building construction
1,480,939.40
C. Distribution lines
2,538,983.00
D. Machinery installation
3,416,400.00
E. Administrative expenses
1,222,078.30
Total
9,436,478.13
E. Community Contribution
393,950.00

20. Contributors SLRs 1. UNDP - GEF/SGP 4,226,284.81
2. Ministry of Science and Technology (Machinery)
2,660,000.00
3. RERED
1,800,000.00
Project Preparation
600,000.00
Co-financing
1,200,000.00
4. Uva PC (Cables)
500,000.00
5. EF
250,193.32
Total
9,436,478.13

21. Dendro Power plant

22. Project Parameters
No of households
Planned
Currently connected
Total h/h requirements kW
Operation hours per day - 6 hours (4.45 a.m. to 6.45 a.m. & 6.30 p.m. to10.30 p.m.)
Fuel wood species - Gliricidia Sepium
Fuel wood requirement kg/ hr
Fuel wood supplying area (Existing Plantations) - 2 km radius

23. Running Cost
1. Month - 15th April to 14th May 2005 (58 families)
Operating hours hours (6.30 pm to pm)
Fuel wood Rs. 11,250
Diesel (3Lts / hr) - Rs. 2,000
Wages - Operator & Helper - Rs. 11,000
Maintenance fund - Rs. 5,000
Society Rs. 1,000
Total Rs. 30,250
Monthly Electricity bill per household - Rs. 356 (84 houses)
Average income per household for supplying fuel wood - Rs. 70
2. Estimated cost for the month 15th May 2005 to 14th June 2005
Operating hours hours
Fuel wood Rs. 16,875
Diesel (3Lts / hr) Rs. 4,000
Wages - Operator & Helper - Rs. 15,625
Maintenance fund Rs. 5,000
Society Rs. 1,000
Total Rs. 42,500

24. Fuel wood Monthly Electricity bill per household - Rs. 500
Price of fuel wood at Farm gate - Rs. 200/ m3; Rs. 1/ kg
Price of fuel wood at Power house gate - Rs. 375/m3; Rs 1.88/kg
Monthly payment for fuel wood transportation - Rs. 7,875
Average income per household for supplying fuel wood - Rs. 106

25. Issues
The confrontation between the fuel wood supplier and the farmers.
President of the society did not get the electricity from the system
Rumor - politicians promises for grid electricity supply
Plant is not for the community but for the EF -being a fully funded project
The consumers concerns on high electricity bill
Resentment among some of the consumers regarding the operator and helper
The enthusiasm among the others in the dendro sector regarding the project

26. Affordability of the households to pay for electricity
Total monthly cost incurred by a rich family on three energy items (Kerosene, dry battery and car battery) is approximately Rs.563/-
An average family, the monthly cost is around Rs.521/-.
The poor families spend approximately Rs.293/- per month.
At least the rich and the average families who constitute the majority of the families in the three hamlets are able to afford to pay for their electricity consumption if the cost to be incurred by them is in the range of Rs per month.
If other social benefits that a household would accrue from using electricity such as better lighting, reduced risks of accidents, use of other electric appliances, social status etc. are also added to this economic cost, household expenditure on electricity is very much compensated and justified.

27. Possible options
Allow the community to explore the possibility of grid extension
Allow the community to explore the possibility of getting subsidy from any agency
Forget injustice and have a compromise with the supplier
Explore the possibility of introducing an income generating activity using day time power to lift the burden on the consumer
Please give us 3 more months to rectify the situation.

28. Possible future options for off-grid dendro power
(We have a market of 20,000 villages)
Try to establish a household level electrical appliance package to reduce the capacity
Try to integrate an income generating activity at the initial stage itself
Follow the grid connected dendro and approach the off-grid villages which provide fuel wood to grid dendro plant