Hydro4U Replication plan. 3 rd release

Hydro4U Project aims to adapt hydropower European technologies to Central Asia (CA) by demonstrating their viability through design alterations for price-competitiveness and considering a cross-border Water-Food-Energy-Climate (WFEC) Nexus context.Hydro4U Project is carrying out the demonstration of two Small Hydropower (SHP) plants, which will radically reduce planning and construction costs, without compromising efficiency. Those are: Francis Container Power Solution (FCPS). Two modules of approx. 1.2 MW, medium-head plant, are being installed in Shakhimardan site at Koksu River in Uzbekistan (UZB), Hydroshaft Power Solution (HSPS). One module of approx. 1.6 MW low-head eco-friendly run-of-river plant based on a Kaplan EVO turbine, is being installed in At-Bashy River in Kyrgyzstan (KGZ). Hydro4U also addresses the development of a standardized methodology for the assessment of the unexploited and sustainable SHP potential in the region. A replication model is being developed in order to demonstrate EU quality standards and to create entry points in developing markets for the European SHP industry. These goals are supported by arising technical, organisational, managerial, and financial innovations which need to be exploited for an increased impact of the project.This report corresponds to the Deliverable 5.4: “Hydro4U Replication plan. 3rd release”, which is the third deliverable from WP5: “Replication of sustainable SHP potential”. D5.4 is the outcome from the work carried out so far within Task 5.1: “Hydro4U replication plan”. This report, submitted by M36 (May 2024), updates the information reported in the D5.2: “Hydro4U Replication plan. 2nd release” submitted by M24 (May 2023). The Hydro4U replication strategy to be developed within Task 5.1 will be reviewed and updated within the final release in D5.7 (by M48, May 2025). This Deliverable D5.4 is divided into the following chapters: Chapter 3 provides an updated overview of the energy sector in the region and describes in detail the generation, consumption, governance and the assessment of renewable energy policies and measures in all the countries. Chapter 4 addresses the political context regarding water management, environment and hydropower production.Chapter 5 addresses the description of the current SHP development in Central Asia, based on the methodology developed within WP1 for the calculation of the technical and sustainable SHP potential. This Chapter is completed the description of the on-going initiatives for SHP development and the effects associated to the different HP plants. Chapter 6 focuses on the guidelines for promoting green and sustainable SHP projects in CA, which include technical, economic, legal & political and environment & social criteria. Chapter 6 also describes the lessons learnt during the installation of the SHP plants in the two project demonstration sites. Finally, Chapter 7 describes the current approach for the Hydro4U replication guideline tool. This tool will be based on the WFEC Nexus model which is being developed within Task 5.2: “Assessment of hydropower development scenarios beyond the project timeframe”. This Nexus model will be leverage on the form of a tool within Task 5.4: “Hydro4U replication guideline”. Through an interactive interface the tool will simulate future scenarios of SHP development, considering transboundary effects and impacts of the WFEC nexus. The tool has been selected as one of the Key Exploitable Result of the Project (KER). This Chapter 7 summarizes the analysis of the target audience (future investors, project promoters, etc.) and market, being done within WP6 (Exploitation).Further public reports of Hydro4U: Public Project Reports - Hydro4U