THESIS ABSTRACT

Abstract

Small hydropower projects (SHPs) are increasingly recognized as a crucial renewable energy option to address the electrification challenges in rural and remote areas, as well as the environmental impacts of climate change on the energy sector. However, conflicts in these hydropower projects have led to various challenges, notably project delays. The involvement of multiple stakeholders with diverse perspectives, expectations, values, and methodologies in hydropower projects can lead to conflicts that, if not managed effectively, can impede project progress and success. The study aims to identify the causes of conflicts, current conflict management practices and suggests possible remedial measures to reduce those conflicts perceived by different stakeholder group during operation in small hydropower projects in Nepal. The study's objectives were achieved through two approaches: a questionnaire survey and key informant interviews. Initially, a questionnaire survey was conducted among representatives from 20 selected hydropower projects, including clients, consultants, and contractors. Purposive sampling, also known as judgmental or selective sampling, was used to select respondents for the survey. The research identified potential conflict factors, current management practices and remedial measures, ranked them based on stakeholders' perceptions using the Relative Importance Index (RII), and suggested measures to mitigate conflicts in small hydropower projects based on and insights from key informant interviews. The findings reveals that the Consultant's perception on the causes of conflicts and remedial measures aligns closely with both the Client and Contractor. However, there is significant difference in perception of Client and contractor which could possibly due to Role oriented approach. Further, study indicates some level of association in stakeholders' perceptions of conflict management practices, but none of the correlations are statistically significant. The study recommends that small hydropower projects should prioritize financial monitoring, community engagement, environmental compliance, and transparent contract management. It also emphasizes the importance of coordination, negotiation, and exploring alternative solutions as key conflict management strategies. Tailoring conflict resolution approaches to the viii project's specific circumstances and the expertise of the project manager is crucial. It is suggested that implementing practices such as regular meetings, open dialogues, creative thinking, and transparent communication can effectively address project conflicts and prevent disruptions.

Keywords

Small hydropower projects (SHPs) are increasingly recognized as a crucial renewable energy option to address the electrification challenges in rural and remote areas, as well as the environmental impacts of climate change on the energy sector. However, conflicts in these hydropower projects have led to various challenges, notably project delays. The involvement of multiple stakeholders with diverse perspectives, expectations, values, and methodologies in hydropower projects can lead to conflicts that, if not managed effectively, can impede project progress and success. The study aims to identify the causes of conflicts, current conflict management practices and suggests possible remedial measures to reduce those conflicts perceived by different stakeholder group during operation in small hydropower projects in Nepal. The study's objectives were achieved through two approaches: a questionnaire survey and key informant interviews. Initially, a questionnaire survey was conducted among representatives from 20 selected hydropower projects, including clients, consultants, and contractors. Purposive sampling, also known as judgmental or selective sampling, was used to select respondents for the survey. The research identified potential conflict factors, current management practices and remedial measures, ranked them based on stakeholders' perceptions using the Relative Importance Index (RII), and suggested measures to mitigate conflicts in small hydropower projects based on and insights from key informant interviews. The findings reveals that the Consultant's perception on the causes of conflicts and remedial measures aligns closely with both the Client and Contractor. However, there is significant difference in perception of Client and contractor which could possibly due to Role oriented approach. Further, study indicates some level of association in stakeholders' perceptions of conflict management practices, but none of the correlations are statistically significant. The study recommends that small hydropower projects should prioritize financial monitoring, community engagement, environmental compliance, and transparent contract management. It also emphasizes the importance of coordination, negotiation, and exploring alternative solutions as key conflict management strategies. Tailoring conflict resolution approaches to the viii project's specific circumstances and the expertise of the project manager is crucial. It is suggested that implementing practices such as regular meetings, open dialogues, creative thinking, and transparent communication can effectively address project conflicts and prevent disruptions.