Small hydropower projects are making waves across the globe, offering innovative and sustainable energy solutions for local communities, agriculture, and industries. From Norway to Papua New Guinea, these projects demonstrate the power and potential of small-scale hydro in driving the renewable energy revolution.
While large-scale hydropower projects often dominate the headlines, small hydro developments are quietly transforming local energy landscapes around the world. In Norway, the Flateland Hydropower Plant is a prime example of how small-scale projects can meet renewable energy goals ahead of schedule. Across the Atlantic, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe in the US has integrated in-conduit hydropower into its agricultural operations, proving that clean energy can thrive even in desert environments. Meanwhile, projects in Papua New Guinea and South Africa are harnessing the power of rivers to fuel local development and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. These diverse initiatives highlight the growing importance of small hydro in the global push toward a sustainable energy future.
Transforming the energy landscape in Papua New Guinea
SMEC has secured the contract to conduct the feasibility study for the Kuat I Hydropower Project, a development that holds the potential to transform the energy landscape in Morobe Province. This project, once operational, is expected to generate approximately 15 MW of power and produce around 100 GWh of clean, renewable energy annually, providing a reliable power source for the region's burgeoning industrial and mining sectors.
Finschhafen district, where the project is located, is one of the most hydropower-rich regions in Papua New Guinea. Since 2020, SMEC has been engaged by the Finschhafen District Development Authority (FDDA) to assess the hydropower potential of the district's rivers. During the prefeasibility study in 2023, SMEC identified four potential hydropower projects within the Kuat River basin. Of these, the Kuat I project was ranked as the most financially viable and accessible, leading to its selection for a feasibility study.
