Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Hydropower Country Notes

There are enormous resources for hydro generation, the gross theoretical potential (650 TWh/yr) being second only to Congo (Democratic Republic) in Africa. Hydropower & Dams World Atlas 2006 has revised its figure for Ethiopia ’s economically feasible potential  from 260 to 161 TWh/yr, of which 10% represents the potential for small-scale hydro installations. Hydro output in 2005 was less than 3 TWh, a minute fraction of the assessed potential. Currently, hydroelectricity provides around 99% of Ethiopia's electricity.

Ethiopia’s WEC Member Committee reports that the following hydropower plants were under construction at end-2005:

Planned hydropower plants comprised:

The Ethiopian energy policy (1994) places high priority on the development of small hydropower resources. The off-grid rural electrification strategy has indicated the need for promotion of micro-hydropower (less than 900 kW). The off-grid rural electrification programme provides loan finance for small hydropower projects.