Clean energy for Chinas remote mountain communities
The powerful rivers of China's mountainous areas can be harnessed to generate electricity for its remote communities and the wider region, but hydroelectric power plants require substantial investment to set up. Prior to the project, local communities experienced poor living conditions. At a time when 80 percent of Chinas energy demands were met by coal-fired power stations, these communities had unreliable access to electricity and there was little regional investment.
involved in educational programmes, learning about environmental protection
employed by the project, representing about 25% of total workers
of renewable energy generated on average annually
in surrounding villages take part in agricultural training programmes
mitigated on average each year
Huóshuĭ Small Hydropower consists of 95 small hydropower plants. The small-scale plants range in capacity from 0.1 to 14 MW, and together supply enough renewable energy to power over half a million average Chinese homes each year. Their run-of-river design allows them to do so with minimal environmental impact. The cost of developing hydropower plants in remote locations is a significant barrier to construction, so this project would not be possible without the revenue generated by carbon credits.
He Jianfu, worker at Lishadi Hydro plant, Nu Minority
Huóshuĭ Small Hydropower helps diversify Chinas energy sector and provides local employment opportunities in power plant construction and operation, helping to alleviate regional poverty. The project activities also fund social initiatives in cooperation with local organisations, including disaster relief funds and educational programmes, such as those aimed at improving the lives of children whose parents have migrated to the cities for work. Sustainable agricultural workshops create increased income opportunities for local farmers, while the reliable electricity supplied by the project gives remote communities better access to electrical appliances that ameliorate their daily life.
Li Dazi, a local farmer on receiving training from the project
Two agricultural training programmes were held for almost 200 villagers in Yunnan to learn about growing local fruit, tsaoko amomum, improve corn cultivation and implement pest and disease control measures. After the workshop, 180 sets of agricultural tools were delivered to participants.
The project organised an education programme about air pollution for local primary students in Wulong and Wanzhou. They were also provided with new books, vacuum cups, and stationary.
In Guizhou, the project organised a free health check-up for the local communities, with special focus on the eldery. As well as seeing a doctor, they received medicine and vitamins.
In November 2018, South Pole worked with local NGO, the Yingjing Sunshine Volunteer Association, to fund a field trip for 95 left-behind children from Miaogang Village Primary School. Read the Social Impact Report.
