Assessing readiness of community managed small hydropower schemes: case of Lingatunda hydropower project in Songea, Tanzania

Electricity needs to be made available for economic activities in rural areas. Rural electrification isa case of long - term national interest and prerequisite for a balanced socio-economic growth for all in Tanzania. The objective of the study was to assess readiness of community managed small hydropower projects in Tanzania. Observation, interviews, questionnaires and documentary reviews were conducted in order to assess the said readiness. The research revealed that the community requires electricity for general household services. Furthermore, it was revealed that the community is willing to pay for the ready established electricity which is owned and managed by other organizations. Many interviewees showed that there were important services that required electricity and showed that the community was unable to have community managed small hydropower schemes from the scratch. The research concludes that rural communities require electric supply for their livelihoods. However, the communities lack capability to undertake small hydropower schemes due to lack of capital, technology and human – ware. It is recommended that the government should create an enabling environment for all stakeholders to participate in successful implementation of rural energy projects. Also it should encourage rural communities to organize themselves into legally recognized entities in order to qualify for grants for establishment of community managed hydropower schemes.