Small hydropower development prospects: Chinese and Russian experience

The vast territory and abundance of water resources in Russia allow us to expect the priority development of small hydropower, but statistics show extremely low practical interest in this area. The analysis of the Russian power system formation features and their comparison with the Chinese experience show numerous problems with developing small hydropower based on the lack of strategic understanding of the small power prospects and long-term development plans at the state level. The purpose hereof is to determine the necessary conditions that will be able to make the small hydropower plant (SHP) construction attractive to investors and form the market of appropriate technological equipment. The authors came to the conclusion that energy reforms cannot be carried out only at the expense of private investors and other public initiatives. Enhancing the alternative energy development prospects in Russia is possible with the help of impact measures at the state level.