Ethiopia hydropower development and Nile basin hydro politics

Ashebir Dingeto Hailu; Ashebir Dingeto Hailu

doi:10.3934/energy.2022006

AIMS Energy

2022, Volume 10, Issue 1: 87-101. doi: 10.3934/energy.2022006

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Ethiopia hydropower development and Nile basin hydro politics

Ashebir Dingeto Hailu ^,

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bule Hora University, Bule Hora, Ethiopia

Received: 20 December 2021 Revised: 25 February 2022 Accepted: 07 March 2022 Published: 18 March 2022

Ethiopia, one of the countries in the Horn of Africa, has an abundance of hydroelectric resource potential that can meet the country's energy demand. However, this energy resource has been underutilized, and the country has one of the lowest per capita consumption rates of electricity. Recognizing that energy access and security are critical factors in economic growth, the country has launched a number of hydroelectric projects to meet rising energy demand, as well as a plan to export electricity to neighboring countries. As a result, this paper provides an in-depth review of the country's hydropower potential and current development status. The article then discusses hydro-politics in the context of the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Finally, it discusses the role of hydropower in meeting energy needs.
- energy potentials,
- hydropower,
- Ethiopia,
- rural energy supply
Citation: Ashebir Dingeto Hailu. Ethiopia hydropower development and Nile basin hydro politics[J]. AIMS Energy, 2022, 10(1): 87-101. doi: 10.3934/energy.2022006

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Abstract

Ethiopia, one of the countries in the Horn of Africa, has an abundance of hydroelectric resource potential that can meet the country's energy demand. However, this energy resource has been underutilized, and the country has one of the lowest per capita consumption rates of electricity. Recognizing that energy access and security are critical factors in economic growth, the country has launched a number of hydroelectric projects to meet rising energy demand, as well as a plan to export electricity to neighboring countries. As a result, this paper provides an in-depth review of the country's hydropower potential and current development status. The article then discusses hydro-politics in the context of the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Finally, it discusses the role of hydropower in meeting energy needs.

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