Ethiopia Ministry embraces solar technology

August 10th, 2009 | EthioPolitics.com |

By Addis Mulugeta, Capital

The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MoME) is planning to move away from hydropower consumption by installing solar technology in the roofs and widows of the building in an effort to save power and guard against the existing electricity shortage in the country, Alemayehu Tegenu, Minister of MoME explained the shift during the inauguration of the first solar school in Addis Ababa, Selam Technical and Vocational College on August 5.

The ministry is partnering with the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), Access to Modern Energy Service Ethiopia (AMES-E) and the German Society for Solar Energy (DGS), who are providing technical assistance to the ministry.

Alemayehu told Capital that, right now, MoME is encouraging and advising individuals, private sector and other ministries to use solar technology for their power needs to free up enough hydropower for industries and factories in the country to use. He added that the Ministry of Health is already using solar technology in rural health centers.

The Minister said that his office is encouraging potential investors to participate in this growing sector. The Ministry of Mines has also been in discussions with Selam Technical and Vocational College, options to manufacture and assemble solar technology in the country, and train local technicians.

He stated that MoME is ready to support investors who are engaged in solar technology, including finding ways to bypass high import taxes, to bring in solar products duty free. To help develop this project, MoME has established the department of energy center within the ministry to support solar producers and users in the country.

A group of 10 technicians graduated from Selam Technical and Vocational College’s Train the Trainer programme, appearing during the inauguration of the first solar school. This school will help to pass on and develop technical skills and knowledge about operating Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Abenite Getachew, one of the trainer told Capital that this is a very important opportunity to build personal skills and promote the use of solar technology in Ethiopia, making it more accessible to everyone.

He says, “We have got training and skills-upgrading in Photovoltaic (PV) and Solar Thermal as well as maintenance of solar panels which means we can ensure the sustainability of the program and the solar energy development initiatives of the AMES-E”
AMES-E is installing PV solar systems to generate electricity from 50 off-grid public health centers in remote areas of Ethiopia. Of these, 25 are currently up and running, according to the CEO of DGS Dr. Uwe Hartmann, who added that the PV solar systems will provide enough energy for refrigerating vaccines, inpatient and outpatient examinations and power microscopes and other medical technology.

AMES-E plans to introduce new products into the Ethiopian market, such as low cost solar home systems. In the first three years of implementation, it aims to provide sustainable access to modern energy services (Hydro and solar electrification) for more than 300,000 beneficiaries.
The worldwide potential for renewable energies is enormous. Theoretically, solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal and biomass sources could supply a thousand times more energy than the world population needs.

Germany together with the Energy Partnership of the EU-Africa Strategies Partnership, is also working to sustain the existence of renewable energy in different countries around the globe, including Ethiopia. The German Ambassador to Ethiopia, Dr. Claas Knoop said during the inauguration of the solar school, that the initial aim is to provide electricity for rural communities without access to the national grid.