Ethiopia Plans Power Exports to Tanzania via Kenya

AFRICAN BUSINESS AND ECONOMYNovember 22, 2024 at 9:42 AM UTC

TLDR

Ethiopia plans to export 100 megawatts of electricity to Tanzania through Kenya's transmission lines.
Agreement between Kenya and Tanzania facilitates cross-border power trade, awaiting regulatory approval.
Ethiopia, with hydropower dams like GERD, aims to support its manufacturing sector and expand as a regional energy supplier.

Ethiopia aims to export 100 megawatts of electricity to Tanzania, pending final agreements on cross-border power trade, according to Ethiopian Electric Power.

The arrangement involves using Kenya’s high-voltage transmission lines to deliver electricity from Sodo in southern Ethiopia to Arusha in northern Tanzania via Suswa in Kenya. An agreement between Kenya and Tanzania to facilitate this power transit has been signed and awaits regulatory approval, said John Mativo, CEO of Kenya Electricity Transmission Co.

Ethiopia has developed large-scale hydropower dams, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, to support its manufacturing sector and export surplus electricity. It already exports 200 megawatts of power to Kenya, underscoring its growing role as a regional energy supplier.

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Key Takeaways

Ethiopia's expanding hydropower exports reflect its ambitions to become a regional energy hub. The planned electricity trade with Tanzania highlights the interconnectedness of East African energy markets, leveraging shared infrastructure to meet growing demand. As regulatory approvals progress, the deal underscores the potential of regional power cooperation to enhance energy access and support economic growth across multiple countries.

Ethiopia

Kenya

Tanzania

Power Supply

Electricity

Kenya Electricity Transmission Co