Ethiopia is one of some African States in the Sub-Saharan that generates most of its energy from renewable sources. It generates its electricity from hydro-power in the Blue Nile River. As at 2011 most of the electricity that powered homes and industries were dependent on hydroelectric power. It is among major developments of renewable energy Ethiopia blueprint. It began as a 2000MW project and was to be expanded gradually to 10000 MW to other renewable sources.
The country has recently invested millions of dollars in the green power sector through wind and geothermal. It is because the weather patterns make the hydroelectricity undependable because the water levels in Blue Niles go down during dry spells. With the initiative to include wind power and geothermal the country focuses to increase its power in the grid and, as a result, will export to her neighbors.
Previously Ethiopia depended so much on bio-fuels to cook and petroleum to power automobiles, lighting and heating. This non-renewable power was destroying the environment, and they were not sustainable in the long term. As a result, the government started investing in solar power to replace these sources. People were encouraged to take solar power their homes. In April 2013, one of the biggest solar panel farms was assembled in Ethiopia, it was to cater to the needs of the rural population.
The country has a vision to become a carbon-free state by 2025. A few of the large projects in the country include building of dams to produce 1500MW by 2010. The dam in question is the largest in Ethiopia. The Grand Renaissance Dam is among the largest dams in the African continent and the world as a whole. Upon its completion, it will generate approximately 6000MW that is almost thrice the whole capacity produced in the country. The project also has challenges; for instance, Egypt claims that Ethiopia is infringing the treaties concerning the upstream of the dam.
Wind power on the other hand plans to pump 800MW to the national grid system. The dry seasons are always very windy, and wind power can be a good compliment of hydro-power. The first was installed at Adama, and it powers 51 MW as at 2011. The other one the Ashegoda gives 120MW, and it was commissioned in 2013. The Ashegoda is the largest wind power farm in Africa.
Solar power is gradually replacing bio-fuels and also putting some power into the grid. It is approximately 5W of solar power that does not get to the grid. Most of this solar power is used in powering schools, hospitals and homes in villages in addition to that it are also used in telecommunications sector. The government plans to bring around 150000 families to the grid via solar power by 2015. The project began in 1985 with only 10kW and study shows that tit has a capacity of more than 20MW per year.
The geothermal plants have transformed the renewable energy sector. It has drastically reduced the cost of power in the country. Due to the seasonal water variations in Blue Nile the project expects to power 1000 MW into the grid.
In conclusion, the government is also distributing fuel efficient stoves and also help in restoring forests. These ways have helped to reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere.
The country has recently invested millions of dollars in the green power sector through wind and geothermal. It is because the weather patterns make the hydroelectricity undependable because the water levels in Blue Niles go down during dry spells. With the initiative to include wind power and geothermal the country focuses to increase its power in the grid and, as a result, will export to her neighbors.
Previously Ethiopia depended so much on bio-fuels to cook and petroleum to power automobiles, lighting and heating. This non-renewable power was destroying the environment, and they were not sustainable in the long term. As a result, the government started investing in solar power to replace these sources. People were encouraged to take solar power their homes. In April 2013, one of the biggest solar panel farms was assembled in Ethiopia, it was to cater to the needs of the rural population.
The country has a vision to become a carbon-free state by 2025. A few of the large projects in the country include building of dams to produce 1500MW by 2010. The dam in question is the largest in Ethiopia. The Grand Renaissance Dam is among the largest dams in the African continent and the world as a whole. Upon its completion, it will generate approximately 6000MW that is almost thrice the whole capacity produced in the country. The project also has challenges; for instance, Egypt claims that Ethiopia is infringing the treaties concerning the upstream of the dam.
Wind power on the other hand plans to pump 800MW to the national grid system. The dry seasons are always very windy, and wind power can be a good compliment of hydro-power. The first was installed at Adama, and it powers 51 MW as at 2011. The other one the Ashegoda gives 120MW, and it was commissioned in 2013. The Ashegoda is the largest wind power farm in Africa.
Solar power is gradually replacing bio-fuels and also putting some power into the grid. It is approximately 5W of solar power that does not get to the grid. Most of this solar power is used in powering schools, hospitals and homes in villages in addition to that it are also used in telecommunications sector. The government plans to bring around 150000 families to the grid via solar power by 2015. The project began in 1985 with only 10kW and study shows that tit has a capacity of more than 20MW per year.
The geothermal plants have transformed the renewable energy sector. It has drastically reduced the cost of power in the country. Due to the seasonal water variations in Blue Nile the project expects to power 1000 MW into the grid.
In conclusion, the government is also distributing fuel efficient stoves and also help in restoring forests. These ways have helped to reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere.
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