It is expected that Ethiopia’s geo-thermal project, the 70 MW Aluto Lango, will cost 270 million US dollars. The project is funded by the World Bank and development agencies from France, Germany and Japan.
The project is currently producing 7.3 MW and is expected to be finalized by 2015.
The Ethiopian government aims to utilize renewable energy sources such as wind, sugar, ethanol as well as hydro power to meet the nation’s energy needs, by 2025.
It is to be remembered that Ethiopia launched a green economic growth strategy estimated at 150 billion US dollars over 20 years. The program aims to develop Ethiopia into a middle income economy by 2025 without an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.The strategy is the first of its kind to be implemented in Africa but could be duplicated in other countries said Dr. Ababa Haile-Gabriel, Director of the African Union, Rural Economy and Agriculture Department.
Ethiopia is set on an economic growth path that takes into account the reality of climate change according to Dr. Tewolde Gebere Egziabher Director General of the Ethiopian Protection Authority.
Wind power and Geo thermal projects are part of Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation’s aim to increase Ethiopia’s electric power generation capacity to 10,000 MW from the current 2000 MW capability.
Source: Capital