• Earns over 48.2 mln. USD in seven –month
BY ASHENAFI ANIMUT
ADDIS ABABA–Ethiopia is ready for expanding power exports to more Eastern and Northern African countries, so disclosed Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP).
EEP Communication Director Moges Mekonnen told the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) that by exporting power to Sudan, Djibouti, recently to Kenya, the country has secured over 48.2 million USD during the last seven months.
He also stated that some African countries such as Tanzania, South Sudan and Somaliland have shown keen interest towards importing power from Ethiopia. Apart from exporting power, EEP has been providing power for various sectors like Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU), industries and factories.
“Ethiopia has been in discussion with the aforesaid African countries to commence power exports as soon as possible.” As to him, technical experts and concerned officials have conducted a feasibility studies on how to reach grid to these countries ahead of time as it is one of AU’s Agenda 2063 as ‘connecting and transforming Africa through infrastructure’.
It was learnt that Ethiopia has so far managed to produce a total of 5,200 MW. Regarding infrastructure and property destruction by some elements, he said that some efforts have yielded results in prevention of such crimes in some areas despite frequent thefts on high power transmission towers.
“Awareness raising discussions have been held with various community representatives, security and judicial bodies to overcome external challenges,” Moges pinpointed. He further hinted out at the need to reconsider the verdict imposed on criminals and those who work in connivance with these culprits.
The Ethiopian Herald March 16/2023
