The World Bank will be supporting the Ethiopia Electric Power (EEP) and Ethiopia Electric Utility (EEU) in implementing the first phase operation of the Power Sector Reform Investment and Modernization in Ethiopia (PRIME-1, the Project, with the identity code P176731). The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to strengthen and expand the electricity network and enable renewable energy generation in Ethiopia. The Project will support the following activities: Component 1 will support the distribution Medium Voltage (MV) Network Refurbishment and Modernization. This will include the rehabilitation of power distribution networks across 72 towns and the installation of a distribution transformer (DT) metering system in Addis Ababa. Component 2, the Transmission Network Strengthening and Modernization, will support the construction of 14 new transmission lines and substations. Component 3, Enabling Private Participation in Renewable Energy (RE) Generation, will support geothermal drilling and resource establishment. The component will further establish a Forex Liquidity Support Mechanism (FLSM). Component 4 will deliver technical assistance (TA) and capacity building to the Petroleum and Energy Authority (PEA).
The Project activities will take place nationwide. Specific locations of subproject activities are not known at this stage, as they are still being selected. Where subproject sites are known already, Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) are being prepared. This Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) has been prepared to identify the potential environmental and social (E&S) risks and impacts of proposed Project activities and propose suitable mitigation measures to manage these risks and impacts. It maps out Ethiopian laws and regulations and the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs) appliable to the Project, and describes the principles, approaches, implementation arrangements, and E&S mitigation measures to be followed.