Commentary on the current Power Shortage in Ethiopia!
Some problems are good problems to have. Cement shortage has been a good problem to have for Ethiopia. The cement problem is clearly a growing economy problem and who with the right mind can complain having such problem! But it is true the respected government body that oversees all economic development engines has dropped the ball. It should have foreseen such demand and should have planned for such eventuality. It seems they never had a plan thus the “sergena meta berbere kentus” approach we see today.
To make matters worse, though the rain has been good for the last three years, today we are being told the current power shortage in the country is attributed to unexpected high evaporation and a 15% increase in demand. What is this suppose to mean to the average investor? That investing in Ethiopia is still at the mercy of natural rain? The country could use a better economic activity forecasters that will serve it well come rain or shine as they say.
Tekeze Dam is expected to start operation next September 2008, we are told. Let us hope all turbines will go operational and mitigate the 80MW shortage of today and beyond. One turbine will definitely not solve the shortage we see today let alone next September’s demand!.... [Zeru Hagos 05/12/08]
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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AFP)--The Ethiopian capital faces a lengthy power outage until next month because of reduced water levels in the country's hydro- electric plants, a state-owned generator said Monday.
Addis Ababa, a city of 5 million, will have no power for up to three days a week, the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation said in a statement.
"Power rationing will continue until June. Climate change, which is inflicting a great damage worldwide, is the main cause of the poor performance of seasonal rains in Ethiopia," state media quoted Water Minister Asfaw Dingamo as saying.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires 05-12-081403ET Copyright (c) 2008 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Addis Ababa, May 10, 2008 (Addis Ababa) - Power rationing would continue till June 2000 E.C, Water Resources and Mines and Energy Ministers announced.
The announcement came here on Friday at a relevant press conference.
Asfaw Dingamo and Alemayehu Tegenu called upon the public to wait patiently until the problem of power caused by shortage of water due to climate change is addressed in the coming main rainy season.
Asfaw said the climate change which is inflicting a great damage worldwide is the main cause to the poor performance of seasonal rains during the short rainy season "Belg" in Ethiopia.
Though there was enough water in reservoirs of the country during the last rainy season, the water evaporates rapidly due to global warming.
Speaking for his part Alemayehu said though immense efforts are being made by the government to grow the energy sector, the power rationing program is taken as an alterative to compromise demand and supply.
While going operational the five power generating stations being constructed in the country would address the ever growing power demand sustainably.
Particularly Gilgel Gibe two and Tekeze power stations, which would start service next September, are expected to decrease the problem.
The volume of power consumed over the first nine months of the pervious budget year is equal to that of same period the current year, he said and added that this shows that there is an increasing demand in power supply.
Manager of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo), Mihret Debebe urged the public to further continue its cooperation in the efforts being made to address the problem.
He said the Corporation is ready to quit the power rationing when there is sufficient rain.
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