ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) has announced that its dams are full following the recent rainy season, ensuring sufficient water for power generation to meet the planned target this year.
According to EEP Planning Bureau and Power Plant Operation Sector Manager Tiruwork Shiferaw, the dams have absorbed enough water during the rainy season to support full-capacity power generation. EEP is actively managing water levels in the dams to optimize power output.
Eight dams – Gilgel Gibe I, Finca’a, Melka Wakena, Tana Beles, Tekeze, Genale Dawa, Koka, and the Abbay Dam – are currently full. Gilgel Gibe III and Amerti Neshie have adequate water levels.
EEP is striving to generate over 25,000 gigawatts (GW) of electricity per hour in the current fiscal year. The company is also undertaking renovations to improve water utilization efficiency.
Meanwhile, Ethiopian Electric Service (EES) reported a significant increase in customers, reaching 4.9 million. EES aims to connect an additional 600,000 customers this year. Since July 2024, 167,952 new customers have gained access to electricity.
Currently, 8,245 rural towns have access to electricity, a substantial increase from just 667 two decades ago. 25 mini-grids are under construction, with three already completed, benefiting 74,222 people.
BY MESERET BEHAILU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 27 DECEMBER 2024
