Addis Ababa, Ethiopia can still supply energy to neighboring countries despite the drought attack in the country, Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa said today.
Briefing the media today, the minster stated that Ethiopia has been exerting efforts to create power integration in East Africa.
The country has been exporting hydroelectric power to neighboring countries, thus contributing its share to meeting Africa’s economic integration.
According to the minister, the availability of ample water potential for hydropower generation, suitable topography for hydropower, and investment in the sector make Ethiopia much better than its neighbors.
Ethiopia’s energy export capacity has increased by 15 percent in the last five years, he added.
“By 2022/23, Ethiopia will have exported 1,713.14 GWH to neighboring countries. By 2018/19, it was only about 1,000.14 GWH. This export capacity has therefor increased by 15 percent in the last five years.”
Although the drought unfortunately occurred in Ethiopia, Habtamu noted that it has not affected Ethiopia's export capacity, as some people say.
"Yes, we have a drought, and there is a problem with water,” he said, adding that "we have been working very hard to maintain the water level so that the generation capacity can’t be reduced." The minister elaborated.
He underscored that “the energy potential is to the maximum available that we can still supply to our neighbors in Kenya, Djibouti, and Sudan. We do have enough potential and capacity, and we are ready to work for that.”
Clarifying his point further, the minister said, “Even though we have seen droughts in Ethiopia in the past, there effect was not significant in hydropower generation, and nothing had happened to the export capacity.”
Habtamu said that Ethiopia is still committed to supplying energy to neighboring countries, Kenya, Sudan, and Djibouti, as the nation has huge potential.
We believe that our water source potential is a blessing for both Ethiopians and our neighbors, the minister added.
The power integration will also contribute to accelerating regional integration and cooperation, which will benefit all our neighboring countries, brothers and sisters, and Ethiopians.
The minister called on development partners to understand and support the plans intended to produce green energy and deliver it to neighboring countries.
Ethiopia is one of the countries that has high energy potential generation from hydropower, solar, wind farm, and geothermal.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency