Ethiopian Electric Power is witnessing significant results from its technology transition at substations, aimed at reducing power interruptions and ensuring system security.
 
Major Successes Over the Last 3 Years:
 
·        Breaker Modernization: Between 2024 and 2026, existing control breakers at 60 substations were replaced with modern, high-tech alternatives.
 
·        Capacity Growth: Previous breakers handled up to 5 MW; the upgraded systems have boosted this capacity to 10–20 MW. This effectively doubles the amount of power available to customers.
 
·        Technological Shift: By transitioning from old oil-based breakers—which were prone to frequent failures—to modern digital control systems, the duration of power outages has been significantly reduced.
 
Strengthening Protection Systems:
 
·        To ensure substations can protect themselves during sudden faults, the backup battery systems have been reinforced, with 51 new battery chargers installed.
 
·        Over 3,000 individual battery cells have been replaced, creating a reliable defense mechanism for the stations.

Future Plans:
 
·        Modernization work is currently underway at 13 additional substations.
 
·        A study has been completed to upgrade another 20 substations in the coming fiscal year, with the procurement process already initiated.

The Impact of Modernization:
 
By permanently addressing safety risks and technical failures at substations, these efforts are vital for providing high-quality, reliable electricity to both industries and the general public.