MHP Bella Renewable Energy Project

  • Project Timeline:

    October 2021 – September 2024

  • Area of Implementation:

    Upper Dir

  • Sector:

    Renewable Energy / Livelihoods / Climate Mitigation

Funded By:
Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF)

Project Brief

The Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP), with financial support from the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), successfully implemented the MHP Bella Renewable Energy Project through the construction of a 100-kilowatt Micro Hydro Power Plant in the remote and underdeveloped village of Bella.

Located approximately 60 km from the district headquarters, the village faced chronic challenges related to the absence of electricity, difficult terrain, and limited access to basic services and markets. The project was designed to address these development gaps by harnessing local water resources to provide affordable, clean, and reliable electricity to the community.

Objective

To alleviate poverty and strengthen socio-economic resilience in a remote mountain community by providing sustainable, low-cost renewable energy that enables income generation, improves access to services, and reduces environmental degradation.

Summary of Achievements

Renewable Energy Infrastructure:

  • Construction and operationalization of a 100 kW Micro Hydro Power Plant, providing a reliable source of electricity to the village.
  • Utilization of local water resources to generate clean and renewable energy, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

 Livelihoods and Economic Development:

  • Availability of electricity enabled electricity-driven micro and small businesses, supporting local income generation and economic activity.
  • Improved energy access enhanced productivity and opened new livelihood opportunities for households.

Environmental and Social Benefits:

  • Reduced pressure on forests by minimizing reliance on fuelwood and other traditional energy sources.
  • Lowered carbon emissions through the replacement of fossil fuel–based energy.
  • Improved access to digital connectivity and social media, strengthening communication, information access, and social inclusion.

Impact

The MHP Bella Project significantly improved quality of life and economic prospects for the remote community of Bella by providing sustainable and affordable electricity for the first time. By integrating renewable energy with poverty alleviation objectives, the project strengthened local livelihoods, supported environmental conservation, and contributed to long-term, climate-friendly development in Upper Dir. The initiative stands as a model for community-focused renewable energy solutions in hard-to-reach regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

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