BY BETELHEM BEDLU
ADDIS ABABA- The Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) said it has allocated some 26 billion Birr to alleviate power interruptions and modernize the service delivery to both households and businesses.
Speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), EEU CEO Shiferaw Telila said the company has budgeted around 26 billion birr to curb power interruptions and to address customers’ frequent complaints on its services.
Modernizing the electricity infrastructure, building and maintenance, enhancing institutional capacity as well as modernizing the service delivery are amongst the major areas where the company has been working on, the CEO added. “Power interruptions are caused by technical malfunctions, theft, lack of infrastructure, and other related reasons. We have been partnering with pertinent stakeholders to address such a problem.”
The company has also carried out various activities including applying new technologies to meet the need of the ever-expanding customers. “So far, we have modernized our service in five cities,” Shiferaw noted, adding that more effort would also be exerted to further improve the service. Moreover, the company developed a digital platform so that customers fill complaints regarding the service delivery.
Over 45,000 smart meters are also being installed for companies with large electricity consumption. Similarly, a digital remote system that monitors the maintenance of damaged electric lines, transformers and other electrical infrastructures is being developed and implemented, he remarked.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 6 JUNE 2023
