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Ethiopia to Generate 5000 Megawatts from Renewable Energy

Ethiopia is aiming to launch 19 hydropower, solar, wind and geothermal energy projects by 2017. These projects are expected to generate an aggregate of 5,000 megawatts.

According to the Public Relations Director at the Minister of Water, Irrigation and Electricity (MOWEI), Bizuneh Tolcha, the projects will be executed in 5 states; Oromia, Somali, Amhara Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples and Tigray.
Bizuneh explained the Ministry has finished preparation to generate 3,879 megawatts from 8 hydropower projects and 570 megawatts from 4 geothermal projects. There will also be 3 solar energy projects generating 300 megawatts and 4 wind projects generating 440 megawatts.

Solar and hydropower energy projects were expected to be financed by the Ethiopian Government and financers, the Director furthered. Bidding was also underway to identify the cost of the wind project, he added.

Currently studies are being undertaken to start the first phase of Aluto Langano geothermal energy II project at a cost of 30 million USD, according to Bizuneh. The project is going ot be financed by the Ethiopian government, Government of Japan, World Bank.

Upon completion of the projects, Ethiopia will be able to boast as the hub of renewable energy for the neighboring countries.

Source: Fana Broadcasting Corporate