Harry Valentine, Commentator/Energy Researcher
Several years ago the European group called Desertec developed a strategy to generate renewable energy resources across the Middle East and North Africa (the MENA) and export the electric power into Europe.
The range of technologies included wind, solar-PV, solar-thermal, hydroelectric, geothermal, ocean wave, ocean tidal currents and biomass sources. The original Desertec plans focused on developing the renewable energy potential of MENA nations located to the north of 15°N, until the South African Eskom Group initiated discussions about beginning development of the hydroelectric power generation potential of Inga Falls on the Congo River. Peak demand for electric power occurs between May and September across Europe, the MENA and South Africa due to electrical heating of buildings during the southern winter.The South African plans called for HVDC power lines radiating south across Africa to South Africa, northwest through Algeria and Morocco and across the Spain as well as northeast toward Egypt. Then the Congolese government chose to reconsider the prospect of developing a hydroelectric project estimated at average of 40,000MW to 45,000MW output with peak output pf 100,000MW between October and March. While Congo reconsiders their options and Eskom considers the potential for new hydroelectric development on the Zambezi River (peak output between October to March), Ethiopia announced that they might have some 45,000MW possible generating capacity that includes 30,000MW of hydroelectric power between May and September, wind (10,000MW) and geothermal (5,000MW) sources.
Ethiopia's Power Potential:
Some of the tributaries of the headwaters of the Nile River flow through deep valleys located in the Ethiopian Highlands. The width and depth of these valleys allow for the construction of large reservoirs that could store water for hydroelectric power dams. There are also several suitable mountain valleys in the southern Highlands that could also allow for the development of large storage reservoirs that would supply hydroelectric power dams. More reading on Energy Researcher.
