Micro Hydro Power Plants in Andean Bolivian communities: impacts on development and environment

Abstract

This paper's main purpose is to use the capability approach for analysing how micro hydro power plant projects in Bolivia contribute to development and equality. As secondary purposes, it aims to analyse environmental effects and sustainability of the projects and to draw an outline between energy and Human Development. To that end, we examine nine projects implemented in indigenous communities of the Bolivian rural area. We first explain the role played by energy services in Human Development, focusing on their contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Then we describe the context of nine development aid projects implemented in Bolivia and the characteristics of an impact assessment on these projects committed by the Bolivian Social Grants Program. This assessment is re-examined through the lens of the capability approach. Thus, attention shifts to equality issues in the fields of ethnicity, gender and income. Finally we analyse the environmental effects and the sustainability of the proects. This paper is an example of “best practice project”, showing how renewable energy can help improving people's life in a clean and sustainable way and how the capability approach is a powerful tool for assessing this improvement