The Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) has signed an agreement with two companies based in France and China to build national power control centres at a total cost of 60 million euros. The agreement comprises two power control centres to be built in three years and also includes the preparation of procedural works for the supervision and inspection of power generating and distribution centres. The project has a total budget of 57.7 million euros and 102 million Br. The French Development Agency has pledged to cover two-thirds of the budget, while the EEP funds the balance. The two companies are the Chinese state-owned SINOHYDRO and the French General Electric. Hifab, a Finland-based company, has also been awarded the contract for consultancy work. The representatives of the companies signed the deal with Ashebir Balcha, chief executive officer of the EEP, last week.