The Hindu Business Line : Mankulam project finds mention in UN report

The Mankulam mini-hydel project in Idukki district, jointly implemented by the Unido Regional Centre for Small Hydro Power based here and the Mankulam Grama Panchayat, has found mention in a report by UN-Energy.

UN-Energy is the principal collaborative mechanism to ensure that UN work on energy is undertaken in a coherent manner.

With a membership of 20, its strength is the ability to offer synergies and new approaches in the design and implementation of programmes, projects and products across the field.

DIVERSE EFFORTS

The UN-Energy report is intended to feature the diverse efforts of UN-Energy members, individually and collectively, said Mr Mats Karlsson, Chair, UN-Energy.

The Mankulam project was commissioned in 2004 and was the first of its kind to be implemented under the management of a Grama Panchayat, according to Mr K.M. Dharesan Unnithan, Director, Energy Management Centre-Kerala (EMC-K).

Unido donated a 55 KW turbine set for the 110 KW project and its Regional Centre for Small Hydro Power operating from the EMC-K provided the technical support.

This centre was established in 2003 with the aim of enhancing research and development in the filed of small hydropower. Unido also extended support to the Mankulam project as part of the rural energy programme promoting the idea of "renewable energy for productive use."

END-USERS

The Mankulam project powers a community development centre in the area, including a computer training centre and a television set. A cold storage facility and a flour mill also draw sustenance from the project.

According to Mr Unnithan, the Unido Regional Centre is trying to implement a chain of such mini-projects, which can help enhance rural electrification and provide employment opportunities in rural areas.

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