Addis Ababa — The Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) said that electric power coverage in Ethiopia has now reached 55 per cent from only 17 per cent 24 years back. EEP External Public Relations Director, Miskir Negash, said that the coverage rose significantly during the past years owing to the due attention given by the ruling party- The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

“Ethiopia’s current power production stands at around 2,313MW from 370MW in 1983 EC, ensuring that 55 per cent of the country is covered with electric power,” he said. The number of electrified towns and rural villages also increased to over 5,300 from less than 648 some 24 years ago, Miskir said. The total length of high voltage transmission lines has increased to 13, 000 km from 3,578 km, while the number of power substations rose to 162 from 82, he said.

In order to meet the increasing demand for power, a number of billions of birr projects are being executed in various parts of the country, Misikr indicated. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) with installed capacity of 6,000MW and the Gibe III with installed capacity of 1,870MW are the two main hydropower projects being carried out to fulfill the increasing demand, he said.

According to Misikr, Gibe III being built along Ethiopia’s Omo River will begin generating power next month.Genale Dawa III hydro power project with a generating capacity of 254 MW, Adama II wind farm project with a generating capacity of 153 MW and Aluto geothermal power project with 70 MW generation capacity are also the hydropower projects being executed by the government.

Asked about the cause of the current power interruption in the country, he said the problem occurs not because of power shortage rather due to transmission and distribution as well as the failure of old transformers. However, efforts are underway to minimize the problem and enhance the capacity of transmission lines, he said. Ethiopia has a potential to produce over 60,000 MW from renewable natural energy resources.