Ethiopian Electric Power has announced that it is undertaking several initiatives to tackle the rising energy demand in Ethiopia.
Mr. Moges Mekonnen, Director of the Corporate Communication Department, observed that the country’s energy demand has been increasing due to the expansion of major industries and urban areas.
To meet the nation’s energy demands, EEP is constructing new power plants, substations, and transmission lines across the country, aiming to establish itself as Africa’s leading hub for renewable energy.
He stated that the company’s focus is on increasing generation capacity, with five power plants currently under construction, including the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the Koysha hydro power plant project.
According to the director, once the ongoing projects are completed, the country’s generation capacity will more than double. This increase will not only meet domestic energy demands but also provide a reliable energy supply to several African countries.
He also noted that, alongside upgrading current substations and replacing old transmission lines, the company aim is to attain 78% electricity access by 2030.
Mr. Moges stated that EEP is actively working to ensure a reliable power supply by interconnecting substations. Additionally, the company has implemented smart meters, SAP, and South Cloud technologies to reduce energy waste and modernize the system.
He explained that the theft of electrical infrastructure poses a significant challenge to the company’s efforts to sustainably meet the country’s energy needs and expand access.
The director noted that while the theft of electrical infrastructure is a nationwide issue, its severity differs from one region to another.
He mentioned that during the 2016 Ethiopian Fiscal Year (EFY), the company faced losses exceeding 800 million birr due to theft, along with an additional 200 million birr spent on maintenance, leading to a total loss of over one billion birr.
He emphasized that the company is working to tackle the issue sustainably by drawing lessons from the experiences of neighboring countries and international practices, leveraging modern technologies, and involving both political leaders and the community.
Recognizing that the company’s assets are crucial to the nation’s prosperity, he called on everyone to take responsibility for protecting electrical infrastructure from theft.