The government is considering adding two hydroelectric dam projects under the Private-Public Partnership (PPP) model, which would push the total number of new dams to seven.

Having a combined power generating capacity of 935MW, the two dams will be developed on the Birbir and Geba rivers, both of which are in southwestern Ethiopia. Birbir and Geba dams will have a generating capacity of 564MW and 371MW of electric power, respectively.

To hire companies that will conduct the feasibility studies of Birbir River I & II and Geba I & II dams, Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) announced a call for expressions of interest from interested bidders.

The African Development Bank will cover the cost of the feasibility study. In total, the Bank allocated 104.6 million dollars to back Mekele-Dallol and Semera-Afdera Power Supply and Access Scale-up Project along with the feasibility study for hydroelectric dam projects.

The feasibility study will suggest ways for the projects to be carried out through the PPP model, according to Bizuayheu Tesfaye (PhD), director of Energy Resource Development at Ethiopian Electric Power.

Along with the two projects, the feasibility study comprises the preparation of independent power producer (IPP) documents for the Chemoga-Yeda I & II, Genale Dawa V  and Halele Werbessa I & II hydropower projects with the capacity to generate 280MW, 260MW and 426MW of power, respectively.

The company that will be hired for the project will also examine the practicality of the prioritised PPP hydro dam projects and analyse the delicate balance of risk sharing.

Last year, the board of the PPP, which is composed of members from the Ministry of Finance, the National Bank of Ethiopia, the Ministry of Water, Irrigation & Electricity and the private sector, has approved five hydro dam projects. Genale Dawa V (100MW) and Genale Dawa VI (250MW) in Somali Regional State, Halele Werbessa I & II (424MW) and Dabus (798MW) in Oromia Regional State and Chemgo-Yeda I & II (280MW) in Amhara Regional State.

The five projects are expected to cost 3.8 billion dollars and generate 1,832MW of power. Halele Werabessa will have the highest cost of 1.2 billion dollars, while Dabus will have the largest capacity of power generation.

To update the feasibility study of the five projects, the EEP has announced a bid to hire a consultancy firm. It is also searching for a company that will conduct a new study for the hydroelectric dam on Didessa River with a generating capacity of 301MW of energy. If approved, it will be the eighth project under the PPP model.