The Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) awarded a solar power project to U.S., based companies Global Trade and Development Consulting and Energy Ventures last week, Capital reported.

Alemayehu Tegenu, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy, told Capital that the project will be launched before the end of the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) period in the coming fiscal year.

“The completion period may however take some time, because it will create its own large scale solar panel system for the energy sector,” the minister explained.

“The solar energy project, which is the first of its kind and big in terms of the amount of power generated from the sector in the country, will be implemented on the site that was identified in the master plan for its solar energy potential,” he said.

The site of the project has not been specifically identified, however, it will be located in an area identified by the master plan produced by the government, according to Alemayehu.

The minister confirmed that the companies will come with the required financing of the project, but did not state the exact amount.

“The site selection, due diligence and feasibility study were completed earlier this year, receiving both technical and financial approval from both the Ministry and EEPCo board,” statement made by the two companies read.

The two companies also indicated in their statement that, they have been awarded the contract to build, operate, and transfer three one hundred megawatt (100MW) solar power stations in eastern Ethiopia.

Source: Capital