The objective in this study was to assess future water availability in the upper part of the Baro basin in Southwest Ethiopia through the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP 4.5) scenario. HBV-96 rainfall-runoff model was calibrated and validated for historical records of streamflow. The estimated NSE and RVE values are 0.91 and -6.76% during calibration period (1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002) and validation period (2003)(2004)(2005) values are 0.72 and 9.78% respectively. Dynamically downscaled climate model outputs were obtained from four models through the CORDEX-Africa program. The four climate models were evaluated using a suite of statistical measures such as bias, Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) and Coefficient of Variation (CV). The bias of the simulated rainfall varies between -4.20% and -25.39% suggesting underestimation. In terms of bias, EC-Earth performs best while HadGEM2-ES performs worst. In terms of RMSE, MPI-ESM-LR performs worst while CM5A-MR performs best. All the four GCMs projections showed that the maximum temperature will likely increase by 2.08°C (MPI-ESM-LR) to 2.52°C (CM5A-MR) and minimum temperature will also likely increase by 1.65°C (EC-Earth) to 2.78°C (HadGM2-ES) in the Baro basin in medium-term (2041-2070) for the RCP4.5 scenario. However, the annual rainfall amount will likely decrease by 7.34% (CM5A-MR) to 17.42% (HaDGEM2-ES) and with a likely increase in annual potential evapotranspiration. The maximum streamflow reduction was projected for the rainy season (Kiremt) by up to 28.36% (CM5A-MR). The annual streamflow is projected to decline by up to 35.2% during 2050s. The findings of this study indicate that climate change under the RCP4.5 scenario will have a significant implication to water availability in the Baro basin.

Nearly two billion peoples in developing countries do not have access to electricity service. Renewable energy resources are a best option for rural electrification in a country like Ethiopia where electric light is a luxury enjoyed only by a few peoples. Nowadays, only around fifteen percent of the populations living in urban and semi urban areas are connected to the national grid. The remaining populations are living in scattered rural villages and have very remote chances to get electricity from the grid. The only realistic approach to electrify the rural areas seems therefore to be the off grid or selfcontained system. The contributions of renewable sources of energy like micro/mini or Pico hydro power, to rural electrification are minimal still. The main objective of the present study was to identify the potential of mini hydropower site and proposing a plant for rural electrification in Keber River around Tobacha kebele. So in the research the study starts from the estimation of the design discharge by analyzing of the stream flow using the flow duration curve. For estimating the design discharge the available discharge in the river, the population demand and some guidelines for development of mini hydropower were used. So using the above constraints the power of 120kw was designed for a 300 households, 1 clinic and 2 elementary schools. Besides estimating the power, the present study focuses on design of civil structures and selection of electromechanical components. Generally the result of the study shows that construction of mini hydropower was feasible in the project site.