The successful completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) stands as a testament to Ethiopia’s era of self-reliance, achieved through the collective effort and participation of all Ethiopians, said Engineer Ashebir Balcha, CEO of the Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP).

Engineer Ashebir highlighted that the GERD project exemplifies Ethiopia’s determination to harness its resources independently.

The EEP has evaluated its performance across key sectors, including human resource development, finance, power generation, transmission, substation construction, operation, maintenance, and reform initiatives.

Deputy CEO Engineer Andualem Sia, overseeing the transmission business unit, emphasized the institution’s focus on enhancing workforce capacity to drive multifaceted projects.

He reported significant achievements in operational performance, power sales, and tariff reforms, which have bolstered revenue. Despite challenges, several projects were completed on schedule and operationalized.

A dedicated application has been developed to track project progress from inception to completion, ensuring comprehensive data recording.

However, gaps were noted in grid stability, procurement processes, control system updates, and full adoption of technology-driven operations.

CEO Engineer Ashebir urged replicating the GERD’s collaborative spirit in future projects, stressing the need to meet Ethiopia’s growing energy demand through expanded infrastructure.

He reaffirmed EEP’s commitment to reliable power access and called for collective efforts to combat corruption and uphold the institution’s reputation.

The forum included responses from sector executives to participant queries and feedback.