Somaliland next on EEPCO’s power grid
Addis Ababa (TNN)-Somaliland is the newest nation to be part of
Ethiopian Electric Power Corp oration (EEPCo’s) plans of electric
export deals. Sources at the corporation told Capital that th e
state electric power supplier plans to electrify the south-eastern
border town of Somaliland, which is close to the Ethiopian border
town of Togwajaale.
According to sources, the electric transmission line installation
work has begun around the are a, but it is not known when the power
transmission will commence.
EEPCo, the sole electric power supplier in the country has been
supplying up to 80 MW of elect ric power for Djibouti since mid
2011, which is the first time Ethiopia has exported electrical po
wer.
According to sources, in the future the corporation plans to expand
its electric supply to Harge ssa, the capital of Somaliland. “The
two sides have agreed on the condition, although the deal is not yet
completed,” sources said.
EEPCo has also entered into agreement with Sudan and Kenya to export
power for the two bor dering countries. Currently the installation
of a transmission line between Sudan and Ethiopia has almost been
concluded and electricity is supposed to begin being supplied during
this year. A transmission line is being constructed on the Kenyan
side and the export of electricity is sch eduled to begin in 2014.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) financed the Ethio-Kenya trans
mission line installation project. AfDB has also financed similar
projects stretching between Eth iopia, Djibouti and Sudan.
Even though power has not been supplied to Kenya yet, Moyale town on
the Ethiopian border is already receiving electricity from EEPCO,
according to sources. In a few weeks another Keny an border town is
expected to be on the Ethiopian grid.
The government is working to earn hard currency by exporting
electrical power. To meet its ta rget EEPCo has commenced various
electrical power projects with other partners.
Renewable projects; hydro electric power, geothermal and wind farms
are power projects the corporation is working on. The construction
of hydro power plant has taken the lead due to the country’s
potential.
Since 2004 Ethiopia inaugurated five hydro power projects; Gilgel
Gibe I (GG-I), GG-II, Tekeze I, Tana Beles and Amerti Neshi with
over 1400 MW of total production capacity. The Renaissance Dam and
Gibe-III hydro power projects are other huge projects under
construction to expand the power production for the country and the
export market.
Wind projects in Adama and Mekele are in their final stages and are
expected to contribute to the power supply.
Source :
capitalethiopia.com
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