The requirement for decentralised power generation in the rural electrification of developing countries is vast, and extensive hydrological resources for small-hydro power have been identified. Despite this, the utilisation of small-scale hydro is extremely slow, and the market is not fully developed. This study reviews the marketplace for small-scale hydro in the industrialised, newly-industrialised, less-developed and third-world countries. The extent, characteristics, and timescales of small-hydro development are used to estimate the market for varying levels of power generation technology. Existing power plant and practices as applied to rural electrification programmes are examined and suggestions are made to improve the cost effectiveness of the generating plant. The economic effects which increase the cost of energy produced at smaller sites are considered and a pre-feasibility cost model is proposed. Existing design methods for Pelton turbines are appraised. A new method of designing and estimating the performamce of multi-jet machines has been developed in a comprehensive software package, which is described and evaluated. A test facility designed and constructed during the study is described, and the results obtained by testing a small Pelton turbine are presented. Conclusions are drawn at the end of each chapter and these are ultimately summarised in an overview of the effective market and the means by which Pelton turbine technology may be applied more widely. The market sectors which will benefit by the availability of the design software are identified, together with further work required to integrate the design ability into manufacture.