This document specifies the general principles and basic requirements of design for small hydropower (SHP) projects up to 30 MWe, mainly including hydrology, geology, energy calculations, project layout, hydraulics, electromechanical equipment selection, construction planning, project cost estimates, economic appraisal, social and environmental assessments.

Application of this document is intended to be site specific, with the principles and requirements of design applied in accordance with the needs of proposed hydropower plant.