Citation: Rumbayan, M.; Rumbayan, R. Feasibility Study of a Micro Hydro Power Plant for Rural Electrification in Lalumpe Village, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Sustainability 2023, 15, 14285. https://doi.org/10.3390/ su151914285 Academic Editor: Adam Smoli ´ nski Received: 28 August 2023 Revised: 17 September 2023 Accepted: 25 September 2023 Published: 27 September 2023 Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). sustainability Article Feasibility Study of a Micro Hydro Power Plant for Rural Electrification in Lalumpe Village, North Sulawesi, Indonesia Meita Rumbayan 1, * and Rilya Rumbayan 2 1 Faculty of Engineering, Sam Ratulangi University, Manado 95115, Indonesia 2 Department of Civil Engineering, Manado State Polytechnic, Manado 95252, Indonesia; rilya.rumbayan@gmail.com * Correspondence: meitarumbayan@unsrat.ac.id; Tel.: +62-81241257171 Abstract: This feasibility study aims to assess the potential of implementing a micro hydro system in Lalumpe Village, located in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The study focuses on evaluating the technical and economic aspects of the proposed micro hydro project. Data collection was carried out through field surveys, interviews with local stakeholders, and analysis of available hydrological and topographical data. The technical assessment involved conducting a resource assessment to determine the water availability and potential for harnessing hydroelectric power in the area. The study also examined the village’s energy demand and determined the suitable capacity of the micro hydro system required to meet the community’s needs. Economic analysis included estimating the initial investment costs, operation and maintenance expenses, and potential revenue generation from the sale of excess electricity to the local grid. Financial viability indicators such as payback period and net present value were calculated to assess the economic feasibility of the project. Keywords: feasibility study; micro hydro power plant; rural electrification; village in Indonesia 1. Introduction The urgent need to address the challenges of energy access, climate change, and sustainable development has led to increased interest in renewable energy solutions, par- ticularly in remote and rural areas. Micro hydro is one such solution that has gained popularity due to its ability to provide reliable and sustainable electricity from nearby water resources. This research paper aims to conduct a feasibility study of a proposed micro hydro system in Lalumpe Village, located in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Lalumpe Village is a remote community with limited access to electricity and relies mainly on diesel generators for power, which are expensive and environmentally damaging. The novelty of this feasibility study lies in its holistic examination of the micro hydro project, incorporating local insights, technical assessments, community needs, and rigorous financial analyses to present a well-rounded evaluation of the potential implementation in Lalumpe Village. The feasibility study assesses the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of the proposed micro hydro system to determine its viability as a sustainable energy solution for the village. The study considers the available water resources, energy demand, project costs, and revenue generation potential to determine the overall feasibility of the project. The utilization of field surveys, interviews with local stakeholders, and analysis of hydrological and topographical data reflects a context-specific approach, ensuring that the study is grounded in the local realities and needs of Lalumpe Village. The paper also discusses the importance of community engagement and participa- tion in the project development process to ensure that the proposed micro hydro system meets the energy needs of the community and aligns with local values and aspirations. It also highlights the regulatory and financing challenges that need to be addressed for the successful deployment of the micro hydro project in the region. Sustainability 2023, 15, 14285. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914285 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability