Siemens Gamesa to Build 100 MW Wind Farm in Ethiopia

Zamudio, Spain - Wind turbine manufacturer Siemens Gamesa has signed its first wind power project in Ethiopia with state-owned utility Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP).

Ethiopia has set ambitious targets and aims to soon meet 100 percent of its domestic energy needs from renewable sources. Sufficient RE resources are available.

Siemens Gamesa to build 100 MW wind farm - financing from Denmark

Siemens Gamesa can realize its first wind power project in Ethiopia. The 100 MW Assela wind farm will be located between the towns of Adama and Assela, about 150 km south of the capital Addis Ababa, and will contribute to a clean and affordable electricity supply for the country. The wind farm will consist of 29 SG 3.4-132 wind turbines and is expected to be operational in early 2023. The project will generate approximately 300,000 MWh (300 million kWh) per year. Siemens Gamesa will provide full engineering, procurement and turnkey construction services. The Assela wind project is being financed by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Danish sovereign wealth fund Danida Business Finance (DBF), in addition to a loan agreement signed between the Ethiopian Ministry of Finance and Economic Cooperation (MoFEC) and Danske Bank A/S.

Ethiopia to become energy hub in Horn of Africa

Following government plans, Ethiopia aims to meet 100 percent of its domestic energy needs through renewable sources as early as 2030. The country has numerous renewable resources such as wind, solar, geothermal and biomass. As the African Development Bank points out, Ethiopia has abundant resources, particularly wind with a potential 10 GW of installation capacity and having installed 324 MW at present. According to a forecast by Wood Mackenzie, Siemens Gamesa says Ethiopia would have around 2.000 MW of wind power installed by 2029.

The country also aims to become the energy hub and battery for the Horn of Africa in the future. The country's National Electrification Program, launched in 2017, also aims to achieve universal access to electricity by 2025 with the help of off-grid solutions for 35 percent of the population.

Source: IWR Online, Jan 01 2021