Design of a new program of external financing for the development of small hydroelectric power plants

The report: (1) analyzes the role of small hydroelectric power plants (SHPP"s) in the Peruvian Government"s overall development plans and in its plans to expand rural electrification; (2) determines how many SHPP"s ELECTROPERU can construct in the next 5 years; (3) provides preliminary cost estimates and a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed continuation of the A.I.D. project; (4) recommends ways in which ELECTROPERU can avoid the procurement and contracting delays encountered during the A.I.D. project and increase the number of SHPP"s constructed, and suggests an appropriate mechanism for implementing the proposed continuation; and (5) identifies additional studies needed to prepare a project for consideration by international development agencies such as the World Bank or the Inter-American Development Bank. A description of the A.I.D. methodology for the economic evaluation of SHPP projects is included among the appendices. (Author abstract, modified)