Oromia's Steam Power Poised to Propel Progress

Sep 18 , 2023


[ssba-buttons]

Over half of the drilled steam power generating wells are deemed complete by the Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) at Aluto Langano Geothermal Power Station in Arsi Zone, Oromia Regional State. The project carried out with a 143.5 million dollar financial package from the World Bank where 24.5 million dollars was a grant. An agreement with World Bank has been reached for the drilling and testing of four other sites until next year. The wells are drilled to depths between 2,500m to 3,000m each and are expected to generate a total of 70MW energy when the two phases are complete. After completing the testing procedures, officials revealed the completion of six wells that can generate up to 25MW energy. Mesay Fekadu, director of the Department of Geothermal Sector Development Project at EEP, said the remaining four will be functional in the coming four months. Ethiopia has renewable energy resources with the potential to generate over 60,000 MW of electric power from hydroelectric, wind, solar and geothermal sources. With only around half of Ethiopia's population having access to electricity, development institutions and private energy companies have insisted on the development of renewable energy sources to meet the nation's demand.


Radar

State-Owned Enterprises Deliver, But Fund Seeks More from Underperformers

Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), the country's sovereign wealth fund, closed its annual performance review with a mix of strong gains and lingering concerns across its portfolio of state-owned enterprises. Ethiopian Shipping & Logistics led the year with 4.5 million tons of cargo, driving revenues up 90pc and doubling pre-tax profit. Sugar production from Wonji Shoa, Metehara, and Fincha climbed 34.8pc to 163,290 tons, nearly doubling revenues to 15.6 billion Br, though EIH flagged ch...


Radar

MIDROC Cocoa Drive, Local Production Focus on Value Addition

MIDROC Investment Group is placing a bold wager on cocoa in the lowlands of Sheka. Building on extensive trials at the Bebeka Coffee State Farm, the company has introduced globally prized Forastero, Trinitario, and Criollo varieties alongside coffee. "The results are astonishing," said General Manager Beshada Worku, pointing to international prices that range from 8,200 to 14,000 dollars a ton. The project's first phase covers 50 hectares, with 44,000 seedlings already planted. Expansion to ...


Radar

Bureau Maps Out 1,700 Land Rights in a Month

The Rights Registration & Holding Service Directorate under the Bureau of Land Development & Administration prepared over 1,700 landholding certification maps in a single month. The update came during the bureau's July performance review, which measured progress against the upcoming fiscal year's targets. Director Tesfamichael Endale said efforts are being scaled up to give farmers secure land rights and quicker certification. Deputy Head WendwossenBanjaw added that the priority ahead...