Opinion
Ethiopia: Hydro electric power development indispensable to economic transformation
The past two decades, the electric power development policy and activities began to underway in the country, which aimed to play pivotal role towards economic growth and prosperity of the nation, with ultimate goal of regional economic cooperation and integration through additional mission of interconnecting neighboring countries with electricity.
Among the major projects currently under construction is the Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam (GRD) with a generation capacity of 6,000 MW 45 percent of its work is completed. Other major hydro projects under construction include the Gibe III hydro power project which has the capacity of 1870 MW and the Genale Dawa III hydro power expected to generate 254 MW, launched in February 2011, nearing completion.
In line with the expansion of electric power generation plants Ethiopia has also given emphasis for the extension of hydro electric power transmission lines and establishment of electric power distribution stations, so far 10,000 kilometers (6213 miles) of electric power transmission lines have been constructed – the goal is a total of 17,0088 kilometers (10,617 miles) by the end of this year.
“The availability of affordable and convenient energy services is a necessary condition for improving lives and livelihoods…,” Assefa Abreha et al (2002:49).
Therefore, Ethiopia needs extensive electric power that could shoulder the fast growing economy. This is not a matter of choice but a matter of survival and sustaining the economic development to realize its vision of becoming middle income country in the near future. The development of its hydro electric power resources is indispensable for its economic transformation.
