‘Desert to Power’ Initiative key to accelerate Ethiopia’s National Electrification Program: MoWE

Addis Ababa, September 6, 2023 (FBC) – The ‘Desert to Power’ Initiative aims to develop 10,000MW of renewable energy in 11 African countries; Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan and Chad.

The initiative unveiled by the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) has started implementing its ambitious plan tailored to turn Africa into a renewable energy powerhouse.

Ethiopia’s State Minister for Water and Energy (MoWE), Sultan Woli, who is participating in the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, explained about the role of the Desert to Power Initiative in fast tracking Ehtiopia’s endeavors to unleash its renewable energy potentials.

Although Ethiopia has a large renewable energy potential, it has not yet been able to develop more than 5.4GW and the access to electricity is less than 51 percent, according to the Minister.

He highlighted the role of the private sector to increase the renewable energy access, adding that Ethiopia is improving its energy investment policies and enacting a law on public-private partnership.

Appreciating the contribution of partners in boosting energy access in Ethiopia and Africa at large, the Minister added that the AfDB led Desert to Power Initiative is key to accelerate Ethiopia’s National Electrification Program.

The Minister called for immediate action to commence the implementation of the Desert to Power Initiative, citing this as an anticipated measure step to step up the National Electrification Program in Ethiopia.