Since 1983, 59 micro-hydro power generators sized under 200 kW have been installed in rural communities, mainly in the northern part of Thailand, beyond the reach of the national electrical grid.

Although the total installed capacity is approximately 2 MW, only half of this remains in service. The rest is has fallen into disrepair or was abandoned after the electrical grid reached these villages.

In the past, the villages were not allowed to connect their micro-hydro systems to the grid, forcing the villagers to choose either the micro-hydro power or the grid power. With the passage of the Net Metering regulations, these communities can now generate revenue from selling power to PEA.