The state utility company, Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation will complete erection of the 400kv high-voltage  electric transmission line which will connect the the Gilgel Gibe III hydro power plant with the national grid in the coming month.

The project is  jointly financed by the Ethiopian Government and the Chinese Export-Import Bank. Construction of the Gilgel Gibe III hydro-power station was started in 2006 with installed capacity of 1,870 MW energy.

The construction of the transmission lines  is being carried out in two lots. Lot one is for the construction of a 293 Km long transmission line from Wolayta Sodo to Sebeta. The second lot, a 50 Km and 51 Km double circuit line from Gilgel Gibe III station to Wolayta Sodo distribution station.

A Chinese based company is contracted for the construction of the project. Another company from China, Shanghai Electric Group is also contracted for the installation of the distribution stations.

According to Meseker Negash, Corporate Communications Head of EPPCo., about 89 per cent of the construction has been completed and the project will be completed within a month time and the construction is going according to its schedule.

The transmission lines will go operational after the Gilgel Gibe III station starts generating power. The Gilgel Gibe III have 10 units with a generating capacity of 187 Mw of energy by each unit. The corporation  is expecting to complete the construction of one of the units in about 7 months time.

Source: Fortune