Ethiopia Plans to Export 1,000MW Electricity to Sudan
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia will Increase its electricity export to Sudan to 1,000 Megawatts when the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project and the transmission line are finalized, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ethiopia regularly exports as much as 100MW of electric energy to neighboring Sudan per annum.
The two countries are negotiating a bilateral agreement for the installation of the second power interconnection line.
The Foreign Ministry says this will enable Ethiopia to export 1,000MW of electric energy to Sudan when the GERD Project is complete.
– Key to Economic Integration –
“Energy connectivity is a key factor in facilitating mutual growth and cooperation for neighboring countries like Ethiopia and Sudan,” MoFA said in a statement on Thursday.
In light of this objective, the Ministry said Ethiopia “is striving to make available much needed hydroelectric power at an affordable market price.”
The interconnection line, a subject of the ongoing bilateral talks, extends from the GERD, currently under construction, to Khartoum.
The overall dam project is now 84% complete, and started initial power production of 375MW two weeks ago.
“The successful testing of power generating turbines and the commencement of power generation in GERD comes at a crucial time to bring the two countries a step closer towards meeting their energy demands and economic integration,” says the MoFA.
– Increasing Export –
When complete, the $5bln dam has a capacity to produce over 5,000MW electricity, more than doubling Ethiopia’s electricity output.
The first objective, officials say, is to fill the electricity deficit and provide electricity to two-thirds of its population lacking a connection to the grid. Ethiopia also envisions exporting power to neighboring nations including Sudan, and beyond.
“Contrary to some erroneous reports and misinformation campaigns, the two countries are exerting efforts to increase the current amount of power supply arrangement to 1000MW upon construction of the necessary power transmission lines and finalization of the GERD,” the Ministry said.
“In this regard, the two countries are jointly working with their development partners to have the power transmission lines ready in the near future,” it added.
Apart from Sudan, Ethiopia exports electricity to its Eastern neighboring nation Djibouti. Last 2020/21 fiscal year, the country secured a combined $90.5 million revenue from electric export to Sudan and Djibouti.
It is also negotiating with Kenya to begin exporting up to 400MW of power per annum.
