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04 February 2007
Addis Ababa, February 4, 2007 (WIC) - Ethiopia would be 100 percent electrified by 2015,the year set to achieve the MDGs,the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) disclosed.
EEPCO General Manager Mihret Debebe told WIC that the trends of the current undertakings of the corporation in executing the 25 years power sector master plan,jointly prepared by the government,EEPCo and the World Bank indicate that the entire population of the country, projected to be over 100 million,would have access to electricity by 2015.
Various hydro,geothermal and wind power generation,distribution and transmission projects,including construction of five major hydroelectric power generation stations,are accordingly well underway,he said.
Mihret said by 2010 the corporation would generate over 4000 MW power and install 135,000 km distribution lines as well as 12,000 km high voltage networks to electrify 6,000 towns and villages thereby enabling 50 percent of the total population of the country to access electricity.
Asked why power generation is one of the major priority areas of investment of the government,the General Manager stated that investment in this sector has 15 folds positive externalities on the overall socio-economic developments of the country.
According to Mihret,growth in the electric power sector is a key to development as it plays a pivotal role in addressing the major socio-economic problems in health,education and environmental protection sectors thereby enhancing the poverty alleviation endeavors underway in the country.
The General Manager also noted that the commitment of the government and the corporations extensive undertakings have helped in building execution capacity confidence of international creditors thus enabling the country to receive vital assistances in the sector.
Only 19 percent of the country was electrified until the end of last year,Mihret finally recalled.
(WIC)