The Colorado-based MWH Global, an engineering, construction, and management company has  opened an office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which the company said will serve as a center for its construction, engineering and administrative staff in Africa. MWH Global has been involved  in Ethiopian hydro-power projects since the 1970s.

The State owned utility company, Ethiopia Electric Power Company (EEPco) selected MWH Global as owner's engineers for the 300-MW Tekeze hydroelectric power station in 1998, and the company more recently provided similar services for the 254-MW Genale-Dawa Multipurpose Hydro-power Project.

MWH Global has also signed an agreement to work on additional hydro-power and water management projects with Ethiopia's Water Works Design and Supervision Enterprise, an Ethiopian company engaged in water resource research, development and utilization.

"MWH has long been committed to providing solutions for our clients' needs, and this office will put us in better position to realize the growth potential we see in Ethiopia and throughout Africa," said MWH President of Energy and Industry Joe Adams.

Ethiopia, which currently has a developed hydro-power capacity of 4,000 MW, has a capacity of as much as 45,000 MW of hydro-electric power potential, according to MWH.

MWH Global has appointed Craig Harris to serve as the Ethiopia country manager.

MWH Global have engaged in the engineering, construction, and management of some of the largest and technically advanced wet infrastructure, hydro-power, mining and transportation projects throughout the world. The company is mostly involved in wet infrastructure and water engineering projects.