Community Agreement on Social and Environmental Impacts of Mini Hydro Power Generation: A Case Study

Renewable energy sources are promoted under the Sustainable Development Goals. In Sri Lanka, the currently harnessed renewable energy sources include about 350 MW of mini hydropower plants developed by private investors. This case study attempts to establish views of the public living in the neighbourhood of a mini hydropower plant on the social and environmental impacts during the construction phase and the operation phase. This power plant belongs to the category “mini hydropower developed by private sector investors and supplying to the national grid”. The study uses a literature survey and a questionnaire survey on a sample of the neighbouring villagers to collect data. Inferences were drawn, at 5% level of significance, on the views of the population using statistical methods. It is found that in this case study, the majority of the public (i.e., over 50% population) agree that there are positive impacts by mini hydropower plants such as generation of new employment, and further agree that some of the major negative impacts discussed in some other cases are not experienced by them.