Technical and economic prefeasibility study of mini-hydro power plants in Venezuela. Case study: El Valle River

Abstract

The technical and economic feasibility of the installation of a mini-hydroelectric power plant on El Valle River in Venezuela is assessed. Special attention is paid to modeling Venezuela’s energetic and economic scenarios. Sensitivity, risk and emission analyses are also carried out. The results of the study show very attractive economic indicators, such as a 280.3% internal rate of return and a 0.4 years pay-back period. The positive results of the study are indication that clean energies could find very fertile scenarios in countries such as Venezuela, where the advantages of their application may not be evident