Ethiopia gives priority to satisfy local demand in power production

December 25, 2008 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopia will give the priority in its electric power production to satisfy the national demand before exportation to neighbouring countries before

Alemayehu Tegenu, Minister of Mining and Energy reassured the lawmakers at the House of Peoples’ Representatives Thursday that the capacity of power production projects, which are under construction, will allow Ethiopia to respond to the national demand as well as to satisfy of neighboring countries.

He further said the construction has been well in progress. He disclosed that about 95.5 percent of the construction of the Tekeze and some 93 percent of the Gilgel Ghibe stations has already been finalized.

Addis Ababa recently signed contracts to implement a project of Ethiopia-Sudan power interconnection. Ethiopia plans, by 2011 to generate more than 4,000 megawatts, enabling the country to provide 50 percent of its 77 million people with electricity. Ethiopia projects also besides Sudan to provide power to Djibouti and Kenya.

Responding to questions raised by some MPs, the minister said the new three power stations (Tekeze as well as the Gilgel Ghibe I and II) will produce 1.180 megawatt, while the country’s demand of power has reached 1.200 megawatt.

With regard to the remaining power shortage, Tegenu said that the ministry leased two power diesel oil electric power generators generating 120 megawatt.He also indicated that his ministry had imported and distributing more than 380,000 power-saving bulbs among the residents of Addis Ababa for free in order to mitigate the problem.

(ST)