Evaluating the Impact of Wind Generators in Inner Mongolia – Project Technical Report

The scale of use of small wind generators in Northern China is unlike any other location on earth. Over 130,000 stand alone, small wind generators are being used by nomadic people. Whilst it has been assumed that the impact of such generators is beneficial, and the numbers involved would seem to indicate so, no objective study has been carried out and there is much the world could learn. There is little published information on the processes of dissemination used by the Chinese. This project attempts to assess the impact on the lives of the owners, and to record and note lessons learned which may prove useful for planning programmes in other parts of the world.

The methodology of the study included the use of secondary data sources, semi structured interviews and particpatory exercises with end users. The project team included both Gamos staff and members of the Inner Mongolia Electric Power College (IMEPC), so the project also helped in capacity building for IMEPC staff.