Table 4 Scores for the environmental sustainability dimension
From: Sustainability assessment of a micro hydropower plant in Nepal
Themes | Dimensional weighting (%) | Code | Indicators | Score | Notes on scoring | Theme score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Law | 15 | ENV1 | Compliance with legislation | 4 | Working policies are largely implemented (integration with irrigation, education, health, small-scale industry; use of locally available skill where possible; technical assistance from DDC), minor points are missing (no integration with drinking water, late decision for subsidies with Subsidy Policy 2011/12) | 4.00 |
Aquatic ecosystem | 15 | ENV2 | Level of interference with fish population and other aquatic species | 4 | No major impact on fish population | 4.00 |
ENV3 | Interruption of river continuum, inverse to quality of fish bypass system | 0 | Unable to score | |||
ENV4 | Share of water taken from the river | 4 | Share of water taken from river is adequate and could even be exploited more, provided that share complies with regulations | |||
Recreation | 15 | ENV5 | Landscape | 3 | Some visible impacts on landscape beauty due to electricity poles and transmission lines | 3.00 |
ENV6 | Noise emissions from powerhouse | 3 | No disturbance for villagers except for operator, who sleeps in the power house | Â | ||
Land | 15 | ENV7 | Erosion | 4 | Vulnerability to erosion is low, canal made of concrete | 4.60 |
ENV8 | Sedimentation | 5 | Desilting tank and regular cleaning/maintenance as model recommendation | |||
Climate change | 40 | ENV9 | Fossil fuels avoided (GHG emissions) | 4 | Feasibility study goals are reached (kerosene demand reduced to 0.5Â l/m-HH) and could be surpassed slightly | 4.00 |
ENV10 | Rate of deforestation | 4 | Firewood consumption is reduced remarkably by MHP electricity | |||
ENV11 | Flood protection | 4 | Curbstones are placed in vulnerable section of a headrace canal. Inundation area at intake seems adequate, minor criticism—dispersed area; it could be better structured | |||
Aggregated score—environmental dimension | 3.94 | |||||