Ethiopia: Becoming a power hub in the Horn

SATURDAY, 29 OCTOBER 2011 07:13

ADMINISTRATOR

By Kinfekirubel Tesfamichael 

Ethiopia and Djibouti recently inaugurated a 230KV electric power transmission project that would allow Djibouti to import 35-megawatts of electricity from Ethiopia. The 363 km long Ethiopia-Djibouti electric power transmission line will meet over 60 percent of Djibouti’s power demand. Ethiopia also has plans to sell electricity to other neighboring countries including Sudan, Egypt, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan. To export power to these countries, Ethiopia is currently undertaking multi-billion dollar investment in hydro-electric projects to build four more hydroelectric dams on the Blue Nile as part of the ambition to become a regional power hub. 

When Ethiopia finishes its numerous power projects, the country could make electricity its biggest export. Public concerns and debates are ongoing on the pros and cons of the government policy regarding on the export of power to neighboring countries while there unmet demand within the country. Readers can refer to articles in the local newspapers-The Reporter and Fortune- Oct. 22-23/2011.

Ethiopia has several renewable potential sources for electric power generation; these are solar, wind, hydro and geothermal. A few geothermal wells have been drilled in the Afar and the lake region of the Ethiopian rift system, which are considered to have a potential for generating 10,000MW of electricity. The country has also a potential to tap and generate 5,000 MW from wind energy. Looking at Ethiopia’s topographic map, a layman could guess that it is the most mountainous region in the whole of Africa; its capital city is located at a height of 2,600 meters above sea level. A mountainous country is mostly endowed with strong wind flow patterns. Ethiopia has many locations in NW, SE and the central highlands where strong winds are known to exist for the erection of wind turbines.  On the other hand, Ethiopia’s arid low lands (the Afar, the Somali, the Omo, the rift valley) are generally known to have a minimum cloud cover and are regarded as having sunshine all the year round, which are considered as ideal locations for the tapping of solar energy. 

Renewable energy sources have low carbon emissions, therefore, are considered as green and environment friendly. The sun, wind, geothermal energies are available in abundant quantities and are free to use. However, all these power sources do have limitations, i.e., they are dependent on the natural forces acting in our planet. The prerequisite for wind farm is the existences of strong winds; the prerequisite for a geothermal source is a well recharged sub surface aquifer. Solar panels require less cloud cover. Hydropower is mainly dependant on the availability of enough rainfall that could guarantee the continuous flow of rivers to fill up dams; for instance, here in Ethiopia, a couple of years ago the water levels in some dams reached an alarming low level that the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) was forced to curtail the flow of water out of the dams resulting in the rationing of electric power supply to its clients. This case points to the government that it has to seriously consider diversifying its energy supply sources.

Our planet is currently undergoing a radical change in its climatic and weather patterns; it is increasingly becoming difficult to predict long term weather patterns and systems. Because of this we are witnessing untold damages due to natural forces that are affecting the life of millions if not billions of people worldwide. Some areas are experiencing a huge amount of water quotas while others are affected by persistent drought and lack of water. Many underground water aquifers are seen experiencing a drawdown in their water levels that have become a concern in many countries. Water levels, in lakes, rivers and swamps are seen gradually dropping, decreasing and receding. On the other hand, some coastal areas are projected to be inundated due to the ice cap melting which is said to cause a sea level rise- another risk to people’s livelihoods. 

Ethiopia is located in East Africa, especially in the horn of Africa where a recurrent drought cycles are the stories making the news; drought and famine are now the usual scenes in the horn region. There are ongoing debates on climate change, global warming, sea level rise, carbon credit etc. Despite, the ongoing debates and discussions, there will not be any quick fix solution(s) on the critical issues of global warming. The Western or Eastern developed or developing countries do not seem to take heed of what awaits them in the matter of safe and potable water budget.

It is amid all these serious issues that the Ethiopian government should take note on the seriousness of the said climate impact on its future water budget and consider the utilization of its 4 TCF (113 billion cubic meters) natural gas reserves which had waited in the sub surface for the last 38 years. Although, this energy source is non renewable and finite, it is not dependent on climatic changes or other natural forces. Information in the public domain says that Ethiopia is the only country in the horn of Africa that has a discovery of a medium sized natural gas reserves. It is said that If, Ethiopia intensifies exploration in its several frontiers or under explored basins, it could add up to its hydrocarbon reserves making it a regional economic power. Some informed sources say Ethiopia could generate from 500-1,000 MW electric energy from its current reserves at the Calub and Hilala gas fields which is a clean form of energy compared to coal and oil.

Power generation from natural gas is a well established technology which uses gas firing engines known as gas turbines. By utilizing its natural gas Ethiopia could benefit in many ways- among the few - it could meet the growing demand for electricity for its small-medium- to large scale industries and reduce the country's dependence on imported oil for electric power generation and vehicle use. The natural gas will provide an alternate lower-cost energy source and could serve as a more reliable electric power supply since it is not dependent on climate and weather. 

Experts in the Horn region believe that the natural gas discovered in the Somali region in the 1970’s if put to use will play a positive role by providing electric power to cities, towns and communities; it can promote private investment in the energy sector; it will enable factories to use the natural gas as fuel instead of imported fuel oil, coal or electricity; it will enable the country to diversify its power generation options and counter balance the current heavy dependence on hydropower which could be subjected to erratic and unpredictable climatic factors. They say that the establishment of the gas industry will play a major role in combating the ongoing deforestation by supplying Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to cities and towns.

Another aspect which the Horn experts point out is that Ethiopia is an agrarian country and will continue to be so. It has to feed is burgeoning population which is rapidly approaching 90 million. Since, its agricultural sector is heavily dependent on DAP and Urea fertilizers, Ethiopia will requires a sizeable portion of its foreign currency for the import of these fertilizers. If, Ethiopia could utilize its natural gas to produce the nitrogen based fertilizer, Urea; it would be able to reduce its import bill and will guarantee a sustainable agricultural development. It seems that this is the time for the Government to wake-up!

I have recently seen a documentary film featured on ETV which indicates that the Ethiopian government is currently engaged in a positive way by expanding the necessary infrastructures- asphalt roads, power grids, mobile telecom towers, schools, health posts etc in the Somali region administration. It seems that the geopolitical situation in the Horn of Africa now is conducive and the timing is right to attract investors in the natural gas development sector. Ethiopia should seriously consider its natural gas development at this juncture in time. Some Medias have reported that the Ministry of Mines and Petro-Trans, a Hong Kong based Chinese company have inked a gas development project agreement on July 24, 2011 heralding a new era for the establishment of a natural gas industry. This could be a positive step towards the realization of Ethiopia’s goal - being a regional power hub.

Ed’s Note: The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of The Reporter.

Courtesy of  The Reporter 

The Reporter