Ethiopia Launches Six Wind Power, One Geothermal Energy Project

The Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation is to construct six wind power and one geothermal energy this fiscal year. The alternative power generating projects are expected to have the capacity to generate 1,015 Mega Watts.

The wind farm projects are Adama II Wind Power Project (153 MW), Assela Wind Power Project, (100MW), Ayisha Wind Farm (300MW), Debre Berhan Wind Farm (100MW), Galema I Wind Power Project (250 MW) and the Mosebo Harena Wind Farm (42 MW).

The Aluto Langano Geo Thermal Project is expected to have the capacity to generate 70 MW. In related news EEPCO has harnessed 30 MW of power from the Ashegoda Wind Power Pkant (120 MW). Ashegoda is being constructed by Vergniet S.E., a French company.

It is also anticipated that the Adama I wind farm will become operational by the end of this year. Adama I project is collaboration between CGCOC, a Chinese joint venture and Hydro China.

The Technology Faculty of Addis Ababa University is in charge of providing consultancy services for the construction of Adama I. The project is being funded by a 157 Million US dollar loan from the Export-Import Bank of China.

The wind power and geothermal energy projects are part of EEPCO’s aim to increase Ethiopia’s electric power generation capacity to 10,000 MW from the current 2000 MW capability.

By José Santamarta, www.evwind.com