East Africa power update report: Horn of Africa

Big dams remain at the heart of Ethiopia's post-Meles electricity strategy. With an influx of donor funds into the transmission and distribution network, the government has room to finance its hydro projects with Chinese support. This six-page report takes a project-by-project view of the power sector in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia. It includes a one-page opening analysis article and a full page map covering electricity infrastructure in the Horn of Africa.

Revised February 2013, the map provides a regional overview of electricity infrastructure across Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia. Planned and existing generation and transmission projects are clearly marked. The map illustrates Ethiopia's hydroelectricity and geothermal power potential. Transmission projects are shown from 500kV down to a number of smaller 66 and 33kV lines. Detail includes major cross-border transmission links.

Example project entry from the update:

 Gilgel Gibe III (1,870MW). EEPCo awarded EPC contract to Salini (July 2006) for power plant and 243 metre high dam with 14.7mcm reservoir.  Completion estimated 2013-14, to cost €1.77bn. Contracts: 

electromechanical and hydraulic steel structure works – China’s Dongfang Electric Corporation (agreement signed with EEPCo, May 2010; $500m contract underwritten by ICBC). 

China’s Tebian Electric Apparatus Stock Company Ltd to build transmission line to Addis Ababa. Concrete forming equipment and engineering support for dam wall – Harsco Corp ($2m contract signed June 2010). 

Consortium of Mott MacDonald (UK), Sogreah (France) and local AG Consult performed economic, financial and technical assessment. Finance: WBG, Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility, EIB and AfDB withdrew support in 2010. EIB explicitly stated that withdrawal was not due to technical, environmental or social assessment results. Significant funding from Ethiopian government with Chinese support. Project’s procurement and environmental impact have been controversial