Power Supplier Looks to Consultants For Solar Project

Jun 30 , 2024


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Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) is seeking consultants for a 10-month feasibility study on the Utility Scale Weranso Solar PV Project, including hydrology, geotechnical, seismic, and solar resource assessments. This project in Afar Regional State is part of the government's expanded scaling solar program, which aims to boost capacity from 4 to 6 projects totalling up to 750MW. It was first announced four years ago but failed to take off due to conflict and a shortage of financing until the African Development Bank allotted funds a few months ago. Ethiopia has abundant renewable energy resources and has the potential to generate over 60,000 megawatts (MW) of electric power, while current output reaches less than 60pc of the country’s population Despite its energy deficit, Ethiopia exports electricity to Djibouti, Sudan, and Kenya to generate foreign exchange. However, success in solar projects has been mixed with several projects under a Public-Private-Partnership format failing to see the light of day. A 795 million dollar project in three regional states six years ago through the Finance Minstry has failed to atrract international attention.


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