Assessment of Hydropower Potential for Rural Electrification: A Case Study of the Waleme River

The research will focus on the assessment, feasibility, and hydropower potential estimation in the Gedeo zone Dilla Ethiopia with an analysis of the viability of the systems for rural community electrification. Waleme River Catchment is located in the Rift Valley basin, covering an area of around 80 km2 and It extends up to 30 km with a river basin This hydropower plant considers the reliability, sustainability, and environmental protections of supplying electricity to the village, particularly for remote communities where grid extension is not suitable. The hydropower renewable energy system will be the best solution for the off-grid areas. Due to international policy and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, the generation of electricity using renewable energy sources has become more significant. Currently, it is among the most intriguing and eco-friendly technology solutions. The hydropower potential of the site will be analyzed by measuring the gross head with the help of a Geographical Position System (GPS) and stream flow data analysis. The proposed research will be completed within two years with a total estimated budget of 363,075 ETB, by site surveying, data collection, and estimating the hydropower potential of Waleme River and finally the paper will be prepared for publication.