(June 29,2011, Addis Ababa(Reuters)- Ethiopia plans to sell power to Sudan, Yemen, Kenya and even Egypt, with whom it is at odds over the Nile’s waters, as it ramps up power production to become major exporter in the continent, its utility said.
It aims to produce 20,000 megawatts (MW) of power within the next 10 years, part of a plan to spend $12-billion (U.S.) over 25 years to raise power generating capability.
“Whenever we are in a position to provide surplus [to Sudan], it could go up to 100 or 200 MW.
This is the base of the first purchase agreement, but it depends on our capacity to avail extra power,” Mihret Debebe, chief executive officer of the state-run Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation, told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday.
“The market has no limit [on exports to Sudan].”
Officials estimate that the hydropower potential of the nation – blessed with cascading rivers flowing through rugged mountains – is around 45,000 MW.
Mr. Mihret said Ethiopia had already started transmitting 50 MW to Djibouti, while exports to the eastern Sudanese towns of Gadarif and Gallabat were expected in one or two months.
Ethiopia will also provide 5 MW to Kenya’s northern Moyale town next month, while an agreement has been signed to further connect to Yemen through Djibouti’s underwater sea cable, Mr. Mihret said.
“The three countries have already signed a memorandum of understanding. Hopefully when the situation [in Yemen] stabilizes, we will proceed to this action,” he said.
The Horn of Africa nation has also plans to construct a 1,300 km 500 kV transmission interconnector with Kenya to sell electricity to its southern neighbour.
Ethiopia secured a multimillion-dollar deal with France this month for the scheme. Read more »
Source: The Globe and Mail
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