Ethiopia and Masdar, the renewable energy company of UAE, have agreed to jointly develop a 500-megawatt solar project, as per Ethiopia’s prime Minister.
This move could allow Ethiopia to substantially increase its energy capacity as well as diversify its energy mix. It is a key component of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s industrialization drive.
Based on data from the state-run Ethiopian Electric Power, Ethiopia currently has a total installed power generation capacity of approximately 4,898 MW. 91% of that is hydroelectric.
Abiy tweeted, “Pleased to witness the signing of a Joint Development Agreement between Masdar and the Government of Ethiopia to develop two solar PV plants.” He added that the two plants would have a combined power generation capacity of 500 MW.
Abiy didn’t give any details about the location of the plants or their cost.
Ethiopia is keen to increase its energy production and started generating power last year from the giant Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, a multibillion-dollar hydropower facility on the River Nile. Egypt and Sudan are opposed to it.
The dam will reach full capacity when it generates more than 6,000 MW.
Abiy tweeted that the global net-zero emission targets offered Ethiopia an opportunity to “harness our renewable resources and provide access to abundant, clean, and affordable energy.”
