Does Ethiopia have solar energy?

Ethiopia aims to diversify its electricity generation capabilities by investing into an energy mix, of which photovoltaics will be a part. There are excellent conditions to use solar energy in Ethiopia, in particular in Tigray Region and on the eastern and western rims of the Ethiopian Highlands (roughly 2% of Ethiopia's area).

What are the major energy projects in Ethiopia?

In the energy sector, Ethiopia's major projects include the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (6000MW), Gilgel-gibe III (1,870MW), and Genale Dawa III (254MW) hydropower projects. Additionally, there are the Adama and Ashegoda wind power projects.

Is there a private investment in solar power plants in Ethiopia?

However, there was no private investment in solar power plants in Ethiopia. Mainly the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) has been a state-owned and vertically integrated monopoly that controls the market from generation to selling of electricity throughout the country .

Does Ethiopia have a solar power contract?

Since 2018, Ethiopia held two tenders to procure 1,000MW of electricity. The first tender for two solar photovoltaic (PV) projects led to a power purchase agreement (PPA) in 2019 with Saudi Arabian company ACWA Power and one of the cheapest tariff rates in sub-Saharan Africa, at US$2.526 cents/kWh over 25 years.

Is Ethiopia planning a solar power plant near Addis Ababa?

Ethiopia’s state-owned electric power company is planning to develop a 100 MW Solar PV power plant near the town of Metahara, 200 km east of the capital Addis Ababa. The project is supported by Power Africa, a U.S. Government-led partnership to promote new generation and increase access to electricity in Africa.

Are solar PV Grid-connected power plants possible in Ethiopia?

As far as the author knowledge is concerned, only a recent state-sponsored pre-feasibility study on solar energy potential of Ethiopia suggested four sites for solar PV grid-connected power plants .