|
Electrifying part of the city
transport system by introducing tram locomotives or by upgrading the long
discarded rails is not only an environmentally friendly undertaking but a
reliable and logical one, which reduces dependence on imported fossil oil.
Energy experts advise politicians
and planners optimise the benefits of the installed capacity of hydropower as
soon as it is generated. Addis Abeba’s decision to introduce electrically driven
trams that would shuttle along through over 30km of the capital seems to be
relevant and timely.
In many cities of the world, such
systems have been in operation since the 1860s and have proved to be worthwhile
in countries where the source of electricity is reliable and less costly.
Ethiopia is a country that imports fossil
fuels, expending hard-earned foreign currency in the process. The country’s
hydropower resources were not adequate to meet the growing demand for
electricity until recently. This was largely due to the scarcity of capital
needed to invest in the development of hydropower generation.
In fact, as recent as last year
the country encountered frequent power interruptions and blackouts. The shortage
of power had negatively affected the business sector, including factories, and
also obviously affected household use. Although some business tried to make
ends meet by using small generators, the results were not adequate in terms of
output, efficiency and cost.
The government was committed to
act promptly, and act it did. Two huge diesel generators capable of generating a
total of 50MW of electricity were installed to augment the power deficit at a
cost of four million Birr per day. But the problem was exacerbated by a delay of
the rainy season needed to replenish the depleted as well as newly constructed
water reservoirs.
Meanwhile, the Tekeze I and
Gilgel Gibe II hydropower projects were progressing in full gear. These projects
would not only boost the generating capacity of the country but were also
massive undertakings that would positively impact Ethiopia’s socioeconomic
development in general.
The Gilgel Gibe I hydroelectric
project has the capacity to store over 917 million cubic metres of water behind
its dam and generate 184MW of electricity. The discharged water passes through a
26km tunnel inside Fofa Mountain and plunges down 600 metres to four turbines
that generate 420MW known as Gibe II. This much energy significantly scaled up
the generating capacity of the country by about 30pc to 40pc.
The Gibe III project downstream
is expected to be completed after three years. That will be one of the tallest
dams in the world at 243 metres. The allocated capital is about 2.9 billion
dollars and its hydroelectric generators are anticipated to produce 1,870MW of
electricity, outclassing any other electricity source in Ethiopia, for the time
being.
The Tekeze I project is designed
to accumulate 11 billion cubic metres of water in its long lake. The dam is the
first of the recent major projects financed entirely by the Ethiopian
government. With its 188 metre drop, the project generates 300MW of power.
There are other smaller projects that contribute to
the national generation capacity. But Ethiopia’s ability to finance such major
projects is a new strength that reflects the country’s ability to embark on
indispensable projects to harness rivers that, so far, were given little
attention other than a few lamenting lyrics, recitations of regrets and
slanderous slogans.
Soon these soil-eroding water
bodies will be kept in check and compensate for their outstanding debts to the
country.
This writer has lived long enough
to recall the memories of the first hydropower generating dam, Aba Samuel, a few
kilometres southwest of the capital built in 1922, generating 5MW of
electricity. Then came the Tis Abay Power Station in 1953 with a generating
capacity of 12MW. The Koka Dam in 1960, built to generate 43MW, was a project
financed by the Italian government, built in lieu of the blood shed by Ethiopian
martyrs and the economic damages sustained during the five-year occupation of
the country by the Fascist forces.
The Awash II Dam (1966) generated
32MW, the Awash III Dam (1971) generated 32MW, and the Fincha Diversion Project,
which was built in 1973, had a capacity to generate 100MW. The Melka Wakana
project was built in 1989 to generate 153MW of power. But silt has reduced the
capacity these dams were designed for.
A long interval of time had
elapsed before the new projects came into being, during which the demand for
energy was growing at an accelerated rate, resulting in subsequent power
deficits.
Presently, however, a series of
hydropower generation projects have been launched that have started augmenting
the power to the national grid.
There are some social, political
and economic impacts of electricity worth mentioning. Cynics used to crack jokes
about the wisdom of keeping away from electricity and politics implying that
both were dangerous.
One contention is noise
pollution, such as the pestering sounds originating from huge loudspeakers
conveying religious preachings in the dead hours of the night, thus depriving
families of their sweet dreams. Another is cultural pollution such as the
exposure of youth to pornography and films of decadence smuggled into the
country or downloaded from websites.
Alemitu has a slightly odd
problem to complain about. She says that she is missing some of the virtues of
the blackout days, during which Kettema, her husband, working at a nearby flour
mill, had more hours to spend with her, because as he had nowhere to go during
the blackouts. Presently, the sustained power availability means Kettema works
until midnight. Alemitu and her three kids stay awake until he comes home.
Alemitu finds it tedious and
inconvenient to warm a pail of water every night for Kettema’s routine
after-work showers. And now sometimes water supply is a luxury in her
neighbourhood.
The only time Kettema expects to
have his full-fledged siesta is Sunday afternoon when the loudspeakers of
some institutions are switched off. Even then, the cheering and jeering sounds
of football fans watching games through satellite dishes almost drives him
crazy.
The economic benefits of
electricity, however, dominate. Electrical appliances used in small-scale
businesses like barbershops, cafés, bakeries, clinics, pubs and restaurants
enliven the business sector. Big industries like cement, sugar and textile
factories stand to benefit the most from the increased hydropower production.
Irrigated agriculture has also
expanded through the use of electric pumps. Rural electrification is growing
through the establishment of cooperatives.
Ethiopia
is progressing in the development of hydropower and strengthening her capacity
to combat poverty. The country is also proving to be a power to be reckoned with
in this part of Africa, both in terms of satisfying her local needs and her
ability to export power to her friendly neighbouring countries thereby earning
foreign currency. |
