Fed Inks Deal to Build Solar Power Plants

Jan 21 , 2023


Two solar plants with a combined capacity of 500MW will be built following an agreement with Masdar, a UAE-based renewable energy company. Established in 2006 with three shareholders, Masdar, is a UAE-government-owned renewable energy company in Abu Dhabi that develops utility-scale renewable energy projects worldwide. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and UAE Ruler Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan signed an agreement to commence the solar energy system last week. Ethiopia generates most of its electricity from hydropower, with close to 90pc of the 4,500MW generated power coming from dams built and operated by the state. Four months ago, the federal government secured 217 million dollars from the World Bank to generate a 35MW hybrid mini-grid power plant, partially tapping energy from solar sources. The Africa Development Bank (ADB) has also provided 161 million dollars in loans to build 25 mini-grid plants in all regional states, excluding Afar and Gambella regional states. The Prime Minister said the global net zero target offers a tremendous economic opportunity to harness renewable resources, emphasising the country has "unparalleled" renewable energy resources. Ethiopian Investment Holdings will work closely to explore opportunities to work with Masdar in renewable energy, real estate, and agriculture.


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Union Urges Meeting with Premier Over Living Cost

Rising living costs that reduce the purchasing power of stagnant workers' wages prompted leaders of the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU) to urge a meeting with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD). Flanked by Minster of Justice Gedion Timotheos, Abiy met with senior members of the Union last year to discuss issues related to freedom of associations, collective bargaining and the imminent challenge of inflation to the workforce. However, Kasahun Follo, head of the Union, said reduced...


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Customs Chief Accuses Critics of Bias, Vows to Address Steel Imports

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Tech Tools Offer Digital Lifeline to Refugees

A digital platform that aims to connect skilled refugees and potential employers within the host communities was launched in a partnership between the UNHCR and Gebeya Inc. The project has onboarded 300 refugees into the system since its inception five months ago and hopes to reach 2,000 individuals across Gebeya's system soon. Ethiopia is currently the third largest refugee and asylum seeker hosting country in Africa, with close to one million individuals. The country also has an additional...


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