adminNAIROBI. – After securing funding to the tune of US$1,26 billion, Ethiopia says the Ethiopia-Kenya high-voltage transmission line would be completed in 2015 as per schedule.
Once completed, the economic benefits for Ethiopia and Kenya, among other neighbouring economies would be felt far and wide. The project is co-funded by the World Bank, African Development Bank, French Development Agency and Ethiopian and Kenyan governments, and is already resulting in valuable tenders.
In recent years, Ethiopia has transformed itself into a regional player. Additionally, the US$289 million Ashegoda wind farm was inaugurated four days ago, contributing 120MW to Ethiopia’s national grid – further showcasing the strength of the partnership between Ethiopia and its international donor communities.
Most recently, the ground-breaking partnership with US-Icelandic firm Reykjavik Geothermal was established to build Ethiopia’s first private power project; at 1 000MW, the largest geothermal facility in Africa.
Totalling US$4 billion private sector investment, it is projects such as these which will enable Ethiopia to tap into its vast geothermal power resources and open up the private power market.
Also in Ethiopia’s impressive project pipeline is the 6 000MW Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam, potentially the largest hydroelectric power plant in Africa.
This will be wholly funded by the Ethiopian government at a cost of US$4,8 billion and scheduled for completion in 2017. Meanwhile, the Ministry for Energy is supporting the second Powering Africa: Ethiopia Executive Meeting scheduled for Addis from November 28-29. Alemayehu Tegenu, Ethiopia’s Energy Minister, and Miheret Debebe, chief executive officer at the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation, will be part of the meeting. – CAJ News.
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