Aba Samuel Hydroelectric Power Plant, the oldest hydroelectric power plant in Ethiopia, is going to restart operation in two years time after 40 years.

The predecessor of Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP), Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo, tried to rehabilitate the plant for the past ten years.

After sitting idle for the past four decades, the plant is going to be rehabilitated by the firm Chinese Hydrochina Haudong Engineering Corporation.

For the rehabilitation work the Chinese government extended U.S. $ 15 Million grant and the Ethiopian government is going to add 10 Million Birr for transmission line and maintenance of an access road.

According to Azeb Asnake, CEO of Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP), the rehabilitation work is going to include mitigating the problem and enhancing green and clean environment.

She furthered the project is expected to take a total of 24 months and once completed the plant will promote tourism around the lake.

According to Capital Aba Samule Dam is located on the Akaki River and its first phase construction was made in 1936. Upon completion it had an installed capacity of 3.3 Megawatt and it started production in 1941. After an additional turbine was installed to the plant in 1953, the plant’s capacity reached 6 Megawatt.

Nonetheless, the plant stopped working in 1974 for its turbines failed.

Source: Capital