Ethiopia's energy policy is under review, with federal authorities hoping to make room for the private sector to generate electric power. Officials say the prevailing energy policy introduced in 1994 no longer suffices to meet the country's growing energy demands forecasted to grow by 30pc annually.

Boosting electric power generation capacity is a priority for a country where only half the geography has access to electricity. Though it is home to abundant energy resources, like wind, solar and geothermal, Ethiopia generates most of its electricity from hydropower. Close to 90pc of the 4,500mw generated power comes from hydropower sources, from dams built and operated by the state.

Despite the potential, the country continues to experience shortages and load shedding.

The federal government wants to increase power generation five-fold in a decade, with the private sector accounting for a quarter of this. However, the private sector's involvement in energy production remains almost nonexistent. The exception is Tulu Moye Geothermal Operations Plc, which is developing geothermal power.

Jointly owned by the Paris-based investment firm Meridian SAS and the Icelandic geothermal development company, Reykjavik Geothermal, Tulu Moye's project in the Arsi Zone of Oromia Regional State is scheduled for completion in two years. It will generate 50mw of power, covering 0.012pc of electric power entering the national grid. The company embarked on the project in 2018 with an investment outlay of 800 million dollars.

Experts at the Ministry of Water & Energy sent the draft policy to regional administrations two months ago, according to Sultan Woli, a state minister for Water & Energy.

"The private sector is expected to invest in large-scale projects and small energy technology modalities, like solar energy," said Mesfin Dabi, a senior energy analyst at the Ministry of Water & Energy.

Since 2017, the federal government has pursued a policy shift to attract private capital to the energy sector. Five years ago, Parliament legislated the first law that governs energy production through public-private partnership (PPP) schemes. A directorate under the Ministry of Finance was created to supervise projects under these schemes. A board was also established comprising directors from the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), the Ethiopian Electric Power, and Water & Energy and Finance ministries.

“The government has limited capacity to finance energy projects,” said Tilahun Tadesse, director-general of the directorate.

The board has approved eight solar projects over the last four years.

Enel Power, an Italian company, invests in a solar project in Metehara, Oromia Regional State, expected to generate 100mw when completed. According to people close to the matter, it is also in tariff negotiations with the government.

Development organisations are also involved in energy projects.