Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) plans to expand its electricity output by 68% to nearly 9,000 megawatts in three years.
The growing energy demand prompted the state-owned power producer to devise a strategy to drive its activities in the next three years.
The National Electrification Program (NEP 2.0) envisages universal electricity access by 2025 through 65% grid and 35% off-grid connection.
EEP’s investment bureau director Yewondwosen Teshome said the strategy aims to complement efforts to ensure the delivery of power.
Specifically, the director said, EEP intends to increase installed electricity capacity by 68% to 8,956 MW in three years.
To do so, the power producer will focus its activities mainly on completing and operating projects currently under development.
These projects – including the Grand Ethiopian Reinsurance Dam – are expected to add 3500 MW to the national grid, according to YeWondwosen.
Ethiopia’s installed capacity stands at 5,249 MW, and 90 percent, or 4,820 MW, comes from hydropower. Wind power is the country’s second-largest source of electricity, contributing 404 MW to the grid followed by solid waste – 25 MW.
Ethiopian Electric Power – which currently operates 22 interconnected generation plants – plans to further diversify its sources of power generation/
In the next three years, the company says it will add six windmills with a combined power production capacity of 825 MW, and five solar power plants with 775 MW.
Despite recent strides, the electrification needs in the country remain significant. In 2020, electricity access was at 51.%, leaving a substantial number of the populace unserved.