Chinese Firm Secures Deal to Power Awash-Woldia Railway

Jun 20 , 2020


[ssba-buttons]

Pinggao Group Co. Ltd, a Chinese electrical corporation, has signed an agreement with Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) for the construction of a high voltage power transmission line for the Awash Woldia-Hara Gebeya railway project. The company mainly researches, develops, produces and sells high voltage, extra-high voltage and ultra-high voltage switchgear. The agreement, signed by Ashebir Balcha, CEO of EEP, and Zhai Yanbin, overseas marketing director at Pinggao Group, comes at a cost of 11.5 million dollars, which will be entirely funded by the Ethiopian government. Pinggao Group is expected to build a 230/132KV high voltage power transmission line for the railway project that stretches 206Km. The railway is scheduled to be finalised within the coming 12 months. TBEA Company, another Chinese firm, also signed an agreement with Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) earlier last month for 5.3 million dollars and 41 million Br to build four power substations for the Awash-Hara Gebeya Railway project. Upon completion of the power transmission line, the railroad, which links the country’s northern and eastern transportation networks, will start operations with 20 cargo trains and six passenger trains. Each passenger train will accommodate 120 people, and each cargo car will haul 30 wagons carrying 1,350tn each.


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...