Ethiopia, Kenya discuss power projects

December 5, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopia undertook the construction of an important hydroelectric power project aiming at exporting electricity to neighboring countries.

Addis Ababa plans to export electric power supply to Sudan and Djibouti by 2010 and to Kenya by 2011 when the ambitions strategy goes according to schedule.

Mining and Energy Minister, Alemayehu Tegenu, said Ethiopia has the capacity to produce huge amount of hydroelectric power and export electric power to neighboring countries when the ongoing hydropower projects fully completed shortly.

The minister made his remarks on Friday December 4 when he addressed the Ethiopia-Kenya Joint Ministerial meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

All hydropower projects, including the Gilgel Ghibe III, were found to be economically feasible and without any adverse impacts on the communities and ecology of the region.

The minister said, Gilgel Ghibe III project will scale up bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Kenya in the energy sector when the project goes fully operational.

The project, which is 35 per cent of its implementation completed at present, will contribute a lot toward bringing about economic integration between the two sisterly countries, said CEO of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation, Mihret Debebe.

Kenya is willing to import a minimum of 200-400 megawatt electric power from Ethiopia, he said, the Kenyan government remains committed to the completion of the Gilgel Ghibe III Project, said Kenyan energy minister, Kiraitu Murungi.

(ST)