Among the plan to achieve agenda 2025 is providing full access to electricity in each family obtained from solar energy, hydropower, wind, geothermal and biomass has been the main sources of electric power across the nation.
Close to 45 percent of the population obtains electric power currently. Though Ethiopia has taken many activities to solve the problem so as to address electrification, it is not likely to achieve the 2025 agenda of power coverage due to some reasons. To solve the problem, private sectors and government are working together than ever.
Abraham Mengesha, Water Irrigation and Energy Bureau Deputy Head at Amhara Regional State told The Ethiopian Herald that solar energy is best alternative solution countries like Ethiopia that has been obtaining full solar in all months of the year. However, many people have not adequately benefited from the energy due to various reasons.
According to Abraham, rural areas in Amhara regional state have obtained special solar electric power access compared with those in other regions. But, more remains to realize the GTP-II plan of reaching more than 1.75 million citizens though it is now possible to provide access to more than 950,000 citizens. As part of this, the region has more than 17 million citizens who live in rural parts, so they need electric power.
Lack of credit opportunity and skilled human power is serious challenge that hinders efforts to achieve the expected result in Amhara region, according to Abraham.
The measures taken so far are not enough as there is a need to address the growing demand for solar power and create more jobs in the field. Furthermore, the region is taking many actions that reach more than 250,000 households through solar power within the next one year.
Henok Assefa, Manager at precise Consult and Leader of Energy Market Acceleration here in Addis Ababa said that providing solar energy is not only the responsibility of government, but private organizations should also involve in the issues to ensure fair, effective ,and fruitful distribution of solar energy to Ethiopian people particularly rural part of the country.
He further added that existence of shortage of foreign currency; skilled human power, contraband, and the like are serious challenges during the past four and half years which hinder to provide much more solar power and energy in the nation.
Particularly, shortage of foreign currency is structural problem while the home grown economy expects to solve the problem. The method has reduced 15 up to 20 percent of the problem induced by foreign currency shortage. It shows that government, private sectors and partners should discuss each other to solve the problem and ensuring competitiveness across the country.
Meanwhile, solar energy sector has also good opportunity for job Seekers through engaging in maintenance. In this regard, more than 100,000 citizens have acquired job opportunity in east African countries, Henok noted.
The Ethiopian Herald January 11, 2020
BY MESERET BEHAILU
