Browsing by Author "MGINA, CHARLES JOACHIM"

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A STUDY ON EVALUATION OF HYDROPOWER POTENTIAL OF KAPOLOGWE WATERFALLS IN RUNGWE DISTRICT FOR RURAL ELECTRIFICATION
(Journal of Research and Development, 2025-11-30) MGINA, CHARLES JOACHIM
This study assessed the hydropower potential of the Kapologwe Waterfalls, situated on the Kala River, a tributary of the Kiwira River in Rungwe District, Mbeya Region, using an integrated methodology that combined spatial tools, field measurements, and socioeconomic surveys. Tools such as GPS, current meters, and automatic levels were used to gather geospatial and hydrological data, while structured questionnaires captured energy demand profiles from six villages within the catchment. The analysis incorporated topographic, climatic, land use, soil, and discharge data to characterise the river system. Diversity factor analysis was employed to estimate village-level energy needs, and Karl Pearson’s coefficient, along with the Weibull plotting technique, were used to validate hydrological correlations and construct a flow duration curve for the ungauged Kala River. Results indicate a hydropower potential of 7.237 MW, which falls short of the estimated 8.641 MW required to meet the aggregated four-year demand of all six villages. However, the identified potential is sufficient to meet the current demand (7.116 MW) of five villages, making the site viable for phased electrification. The study concludes that the Kapologwe Waterfalls offer a technically feasible solution for decentralised power generation in the Kala catchment. However, to meet long-term and inclusive demand, it is recommended that this resource be supplemented with additional energy sources, such as support from the Rural Energy Agency (REA). Furthermore, future research should focus on optimising turbine design for high-head, low-flow conditions to improve system efficiency, minimize maintenance needs, and extend equipment lifespan.