Ethiopia keen to boost alternative energy sources: Official

Addis Ababa, March 12, 2021 (FBC) -Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance of Ethiopia held today discussion with Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of the Abu Dhabi future energy company PJSC-Masdar.

During the discussion, the Minister said Ethiopia has embarked on a comprehensive national reform program to transform its economy through harnessing private sector investments.

He emphasized the importance of Ethiopia to have adequate energy to meet its development and growing population’s needs.

Ahmed further explained Ethiopia’s potential in energy development particularly in renewable energy.

However, he said, Ethiopia has not so far used its vast potentials particularly in wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass.

The Minister highly welcomed UAE’s Masdar for showing its commitment to partner with Ethiopia to jointly develop 500 MW PV in solar projects and said Masdar’s investments are a demonstration of the growing public-private partnerships (PPP) in the country.

As Ethiopia is working to strengthen its partnership with the private sector, it currently has a total of 17 projects approved by the PPP board of which eight are solar energy, six hydro, and three road projects.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Finance under the PPP modality is working on sectors such as housing development, petroleum storage depot, medical oxygen, diagnostic services supply, oncology, and five wind energy projects in different regions of the country.