Since its establishment in 1994, the International Network on Small Hydro Power (IN-SHP) has dedicated its efforts to promote global SHP development with the aim of rural electrification. Our headquarters, the International Center on Small Hydro Power (IC-SHP) is based in Hangzhou, China. We emphasize the importance of the positive environmental aspect of electricity generation through small hydropower and the beneficial socio-economic effects rural electrification by means of SHP has on the rural communities.