ONTARIO, Canada - Ethiopia has the potential to produce 30 000 megawatts of hydroelectricity and is conducting feasibility studies on a number of projects, said the Electricity Forum, citing Ethiopian Water Resources Minister Adugna Jebessa.
The Norwegian government has provided $7-million in financial assistance for the feasibility studies, the Ontario- based online publication said on its Web site. The bulk of the east African country's energy needs are produced by wood fuel and animal dung, it said.
The Ethiopian Highlands Baro project could produce between 1 000 and 1 600 MW of power, it added.
Ethiopia, where only 14% of the population has access to electricity, currently produces 1 100 megawatts of power and consumes 1 500 megawatts. It plans to export electricity to neighboring Kenya and Djibouti, Energy Minister Sinknesh Ejigu said May 19.
