Format for Detailed Feasibility

Studies of Prospective Mini-hydro

Projects

This format is intended for use in conducting detailed feasibility

studies for proposed mini-hydro plants.

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A. BASIC INFORMATION
1. General
Name of Scheme: ……………………………………..
Location: VDC: ….………………… Ward No.:….... Village:-……………………….
District: ………………………………….
Comments: ……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………….……………………..
Date of site visit: ……………………………………
UC Chairman / Developer: …………………………………
Address: …………………………………….. Instructions

Provide sufficient details of the persons

interviewed so that they can be contacted
later if necessary.
Comments: ……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Study team leader …………………………………. Signature: ………………….…
Team members:

S.N. Name Profession

Persons Interviewed, address Address

1. Site Information
How was the site reached?
…………. hours/days walk from roadhead. Name of roadhead …………
…………..hours/days walk from airfield. Name of airfield: ………………..

Time for loaded porter to reach the site form roadhead/airfield

……………………..

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B. LOAD FORECAST

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C. TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Source River/ Stream: ……………….

Fill in all of the technical

INTAKE SITE information and provide
Location:………………………………………………………….. appropriate comments as
necessary, especially in the
River Width at Intake site (Approx.): ………………… slope stability issues.

River Gradient at Intake site (Approx.):-…………….

Elevation: …….. masl

GPS Cordinates of intake (x,y, z):

………… ……………. ……………

GRAVEL TRAP
Gravel trap Location: …………. m, the from intake

Flushing location & description: ……………………………………

……………………………………………………………………….

Are ground protection measures required? Yes No 

SETTLING BASIN
Settling basin: ………….. m, from the intake Based on the survey
measurements and data, state the
Flushing location & description: …………………………………… number of individual bends
………………………………………………………………………… required along the penstock
alignment in the space provided.
Are ground protection measures required? Yes No

HEADRACE
Open canal lengths & corresponding chainages:…………
…………………………………………………………………………….

Headrace pipe lengths & corresponding chainages:

……………………………………………………………………………

Unstable lengths requiring stabilisation:……………. m

FOREBAY
Forebay: ……………………………………

Flushing location & description: ………………………………..

………………………………………………

Are ground protection measures required? Yes No

PENSTOCK
Total length: …….. m, No of Vertical bends: ……. nos.

No of Horizontal bends: ………. , Gross head, Hgross: ………. m.

POWERHOUSE SITE
Description of location: ……………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………
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……………………………………………….… Elevation: …….masl

………… m above annual flood level of the river

GPS Cordinates of intake (x,y, z):

………… ……………. ……………

Distance from powerhouse to river bank / tailrace exit point: ……m

Are ground protection measures required at powerhouse?
Yes No 

OTHER STRUCTURES

Comment and describe if any other hydraulic structures required

for the project:……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………

TRANSMISSION LINE

Transmission line length:…………… m

Distribution line length: ……………m

Will part of the scheme alignment or some structures have to be

located on private land? Yes No 

If yes, specify alignment/structures that will have to be located on

private land: ……………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………….

Is (are) the land owner(s) willing to have the alignment/structures

on their land? Yes No 
Comments:
………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………….

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D. HYDROLOGICAL STUDY If flows are abstracted upstream of
Name of the River /Stream : ………………………. the intake, these should also be
measured and included.
Catchment Area at Intake : ……………. km2
Measured flow at intake, Qi = ……………. l/s
Selection of Gauging Site and
Corresponding Gauge Height : ……. m at……….. (Time) Establishment of Staff Gauge
Date of flow measurement: …………………….. The gauging site must be
Method used to measure the flow : Select below selected with due care to assure
that the stage-discharge curve
 Conductivity Method (Salt Dilution Method) is reasonably constant over a
 Velocity Area Method (Current Meter) long period of about a few
years.
 Hydraulic Method
The following are selection
(Attach separarte sheet for data & Calculation) criteria for the gauging site:
Flow Measured by: …………………….. i) The stream should have
Name & Address of the Gauge Reader: a well defined cross-section that
does not change in various
Name:- seasons.
Address:- ii) It should be easily
If there are water diversions (e.g., irrigation) close to the intake, i.e., accessible all through the year.
within 2 hours walking distance, the flow diverted at these locations iii) The site should be in a
should also be measured and used to determine the 11-month straight, stable reach.
exceedance flow based on MIP.
iv) The site should be free
Upstream flows abstraction (if any), Qup: …………. l/s from back-water effects in the
Specify water use (drinking water, irrigation etc): ………….. channel.

Downstream water use: Qd: …………………..(l/s),

Specify water use (drinking water, irrigation etc): …………………
Irrigation practices in the area (seasonal, year round, rotational etc.):
……………………………………………………………………………
Will there be any water right conflict due to the implementation of the
scheme? Yes No 
Comments on water right issues:
……………………………………………. …………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………
Other possible conflicts due to the implementation of the scheme:
…………………………………………………………………………………

Multipurpose Projects
Can multiple uses of water resources be promoted in this project?
Yes No 
If yes, besides power generation, other uses are:
 Irrigation  Drinking water  Others (specify): …………………………
Modifications required in the scheme layout or components to
incorporate multiple uses of the water esources:
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………

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E. TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY
Topographical Sheet No. :- …………………….
Scale of the Map:-
(Topographical Maps prepared by Survey Department, GoN)
Draw a general sketch (plan) of the scheme from the intake to the A general plan from the intake to
tailrace (i.e., birds eye view) in the box below: (Use separate the powerhouse and tailrace
sheets if needed) should be drawn at site for
comparison with the survey
drawings, which would be
prepared later. Although, this
drawing need not be in scale, the
waterway lengths and locations
of the structures should be
mentioned.

It is, however, recommended that

Topographical map (prepared by
Survey Department, GoN) shall
be brought during the Field visit
and general plan together with
locations of structures shall be
drawn on the map.

Draw a general layout plan of the transmission/distribution areas

Similarly, a sketch of the
from the powerhouse: transmission / distribution line
should be included in the box
provided.

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F. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
1. Format for Diversion Weir Axis ( geological x-section along weir
axis):
Left abutment, right abutment, slopes on left/ right abutments,
width of river banks, composition on river bed material,
composition of abutments etc.). Sample cross section.

2. Format for geological conditions along headrace canal: chainage

vs. geological features like common soil, colluvial deposit,
rock/cliff, stream crossings, cultivated land, forest, landslide,
springs, swamps, foot trail/ road, canal, bridge etc. Special
attention should be given on seepage area and their evaluation
for construction, slope stability, bearing capacity,

Chainage
Geological Features Remarks
From To

3. Format for Forebay & spillway (stability of site, area, water

discharge, spillway etc.)

Residual soil/
Colluvial
deposit/ Alluvial
Material at
Bed rock deposit/ Glacial Remarks
foundation
deposit/ any
other type of
deposit

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For bedrock
foundation
Fracture Parallel /
pattern random
Sets One set/ two
sets/ more
Spacing of … … m to …
fracture …m
Opening of … … mm to …
fracture … mm
Dip of Towards hill
fracture slope/ cut slope
planes or against
Chances of
Plane /
Yes/ No
Wedge
Failure
Criticality to
Risk/No Risk
structure
For foundation
on deposit
Thickness of Estimate
……m
deposit
Composition Boulder mix/
of deposit gravel mix/
sand mix/ fine
material
Degree of Well/ moderate/
Compaction slightly/ loose
Ground
water/
… … … lit/min
seepage/ or
dry
Any land
slides or
mass
Yes/ No
movement in
the structure
area
If yes
Circular
failure
Size
Criticality to
Risk/ no risk
structure
Planer failure
Size
Criticality to
Risk/ no risk
structure
Wedge
failure
Size

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 Criticality to
Risk/ no risk
structure

4. Format for penstock (slope, composition of foundation soil/ rock,

bearing capacity, overburden etc.)

Chainage Geological Soundness for

Slope
From to Features foundation

5. Format for powerhouse/ tailrace site: topography, composition of

foundation materials, type: surface, semi underground, in deep
excavation; distance from river bank, HFL,

The excavation line should be modified and brought outside for mini
hydro surface penstock and powerhouse

FORMATS FOR CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL SURVEY

(a) Sand and Aggregates
Borrow Area No. … … … … (prepare separate tables for
each borrow area separately)

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 Location
Length, m
Width, m
Height/ Depth, m Average of all test
pits
Volume, m3
Sand, m3 … … …%
(Average)
Aggregates (<10 mm), … … …%
m3 (Average)
Aggregates (10 – 20 … … …%
mm), m3 (Average)
Aggregates (>20 mm), … … …%
3
m (Average)
(Prepare separate table for each deposit location/borrow
area)

(b) Impervious Materials

Location
Length, m
Width, m
Height/ Depth, m (Average depth)
Volume, m3
(Prepare separate table for each deposit
location/borrow area)

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G. SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETAILS
Economic Condition
Income Level

No. of No. of No. of Households

Households with Households with with Low Level
high level Middle Level Income
VDC Villages Income Income

Economic Activity

No. of
Income Sources Persons Households
Agriculture
Livestock
Daily wage/Porter    
Business    
Cottage Industry    
Livestock Products    
Fruit and Vegetable Sales    
Service    
Pension    
Remittance    
     

Agricultural Production
Product Unit Annual Price per
Production Unit
Paddy
Maize
Wheat
Millet
Oilseed
Buckwheat
Potatoes

Industry and Craft

Location
Total Ward No.
Type No. VDC Village
Rice/Timber
Mill
Mechanical
Workshop

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 Furniture
Bakery
Milk Products
Kami
Alcohol

Business Entities

Location
Total Ward No.
Type No. VDC Village
Retail shops
Tea Shops
Hotel/Lodge
Bank
Ag. Tools &
Equip. Shops
Construction
Materials
Shops
Electrical
Goods
Photocopy
Doctor’s Clinic
Printing Press

Public Services

Location
Total Ward No.
Type No. VDC Village
Temple
Sports
Ground/Park
VDC Building
Meeting Hall
Hospital/Health
Post
Veterinary
Hospital
Irrigation Office
Forest Office
Ag. Service
Center
Police Post
Post Office
Telephone
Office
Electricity Office
Water Supply
Office
Airport
Schools

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 Local Level Capacity
Location
Education Total Ward No.
Level & No. VDC Village
Type of Skills
Carpenter
Masons
Electricians
Plumbers
Other Skilled
Manpower
Unskilled
Manpower

Education
Location
Education Level & Total Ward
Type of Skills No. VDC Village No.

Illiterate
Up to Class 10
High School &
Above
Students:
- Girls
- Boys
Drop Outs:
- Girls
- Boys

Consumption of Energy
Location
Total Ward No.
Type VDC Village
Kerosene
(Ltrs./Month)
Firewood
(kg./Month)
Ag. Residue
(kg/Month)
Battery
(No./Month)
Animal Dung
(kg./Month)
LPG
(Cylinder/Month)
Others (Specify)

Any development activities planned for the next three years?

Administrative Building …. Factory ….

School …. Cottage Industry ….
Water Supply …. Handicraft ….
Sports Ground/Park …. Cooperative ….

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 Health Post …. Irrigation ….
Hospital …. Mining ….
Telecommunication …. Road ….
Bank …. Other (Specify) ….
Rest House ….

If your VDC/village is provided with electricity services, how

much would the people be willing to pay per month?

% of HHs
Over Rs.
Description Rs. 50 Rs. 100 Rs. 150 Rs. 200 200
High Income
HHs
Middle Income
HHs
Low Income HHs

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H. LOCAL RATES
Local Material Rates
Description Unit Rs./unit Comments
Sand
Block stone
Bond stone
Coarse aggregate
Wood
Unskilled labour Md
Mason Md
Carpenter Md
Technician Md
Kerosene litre
Diesel litre
Petrol litr
Pole Nos.

Transportation Rates
Rs./un
Type Unit Comments
it
Truck/tractor
Mule - easy
load
- difficult
Porter - easy
load
- difficult

Nearest major supply market for the project : ………………

All weather road-head of the project site : ………………
Fair weather road-head of the project site : ………………

Estimated Annual Operation and Maintenance cost

Amount/month Comments List the human resources costs required
Operating costs
(RS) to run the plant. Note that the manpower
of MH plants is also based on the size of
Salary – manager the plant and the distribution area
covered.
Salary – operator 1
All salaries of people employed by the
Salary – operator 2 MHP - manager, operators, accountant
should be estimated based on nearby
Salary – accountant MHP plants or the prevailing rates in the
community for similar type of work (e.g.,
Salary – others school teacher, government employee
etc.)
Salary – others

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Office expenses
Miscellaneous
Total monthly
operating cost

Annual Operating costs: ………………………..

Estimated annual maintenance cost: …… % of total project cost

Total operation and Maintenance cost: Rs ……………….

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I. MANAGEMENT & IMPLEMENTATION MODEL Note the type of ownership proposed for
the scheme; Company means a group of
private individuals organising together to
operate the MHP as a business for profit;
Management Community means a group representative
of the community to be served by the
Proposed ownership: Company Community ………………….. MHP collects the equity and organises
the financing of the MHP and will operate
Proposed Name of Project:……………………………………………. it on behalf of the community. Also
Comment: ………………….………..……………………………………….. include proposed name of managing
organisation if known.
List the key people involved in the project
Key People in proposed plant and their role (e.g., developer,
entrepreneur etc.)
Role in the proposed
ame Comments
MH Plant

Draw a simple sketch of the proposed

organisational structure, eg.

Probable organisational structure

Estimate the level of entrepreneurial

ability of the management compared with
other business people of the area.
Assess the anticipated level of community
participation in the MHP scheme, i.e. is
the community involved in setting the tariff
rate, making policy decisions? Such as
how to punish payment defaulters etc.
Comment as necessary.
Note the availability of local people or
people who are currently living away from
Availability of local people the area but willing to return if a suitable
- with managerial / business skills - Good Fair Poor None opportunity arises with managerial and/or
business operation experience, eg. have
Manager already selected? Yes No successfully operated a small business.
Note if a person has already been
If yes, name: ………………………………...…………..…………………….. selected to manage the scheme and the
type of experience they have had. If
Experience: ………………………………….……………………………….. someone has not already been selected
comment on how they will be selected.
- with technical/mechanical repair skills - Good Fair Poor None
………………………………………………………………………………… Comment should also be provided if
“Poor” or “None” is checked for the
Type of training required if any: availability question. Note also if
operators have already been selected,
………………………………………………………………………………… their names and experience, and how
they will be selected if they have not
If No, how will the manager be selected? …………………………………. already been.

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Operators already selected? Yes  No 
If yes, how? ………………….…………. Name: ……….…………………..
Experience: …………………………….………..……………………………..
Type of training required if any: ………………..…………………………….
If no, how will the operator(s) be selected? ……………………………..
IMPLEMENTATION MODEL (EQUITY/DEBT RATIO)
Equity contribution by developer and loan requirements:
Equity amount the developer/community is willing to invest:
Cash contribution: Total Rs. ……………………(or …. …. % of the Total
Project Cost)
and Rs. ……………/ household if community owned.
Labour contribution ……………………. Persons/day = Rs. ………………….
In case of insufficient funds, the developer will:
 Increase the equity contribution to meet the balance
 Withdraw a bank load for the balance
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Also note down whether training
requirements are essential for the
manager and operators (if already
identified) and briefly describe the type of
training required.
If this is a community owned scheme
based on discussions at site, state also
the cash contribution by participating
households as well as the labour
contribution in terms of person days as
well as in rupee amount.
Since the project cost will be determined
at a later stage the loan amount cannot
be fixed at site. However, the survey
team should inform the developer that
there may be a need for a bank loan if the
subsidy and the equity amount are less
than the total project cost.