Ethiopia

Green Hydrogen Vision

Ethiopia currently has an installed capacity of 4,965MW, expected to double with the commissioning of the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam at 6,450MW. The government of Ethiopia has made commitments to a new strategy to continue to improve its hydroelectric infrastructure by constructing 16 hydroelectric dams and 24 wind-generating projects within the next 20 years.

The first Siemens Gamesa Assela 100MW wind farm began in 2021 in the Iteya, Oromia region 150Km south of Adis Ababa. With Support from IFC and The World Bank, Ethiopia also intents to scale its solar initiatives in the country. They have also begun tapping into the country’s geothermal resources at TuluMoye, Aluto Langhano and Corbetti through PPPs, and look to develop 17 geothermal projects further down the line.

Ethiopia aims to have an installed capacity of 35,000 MW by 2037.

The eastern parts of Ethiopia have been deemed viable to host green hydrogen projects, and we are currently carrying out detailed studies on the country’s need for energy from green hydrogen and how to replace fossil fuels. The Policy, strategy and project documents are aimed to be completed by 2023.  

National Strategy

A newly formed taskforce, comprising members from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE), is completing a new policy and strategy document focused on Green Hydrogen, Ethiopia's emerging energy sector. 

Officials are optimistic about launching green hydrogen harvesting projects soon. 

Capacity targets

Ethiopia aims to have an installed capacity of 35,000 MW by 2037. 

Impact Targets

No impact targets have been stated yet.

Project spotlight

1. Ethiopia gave its first license for hydrogen power generation to Fortescue Future Industries in May 2022, while China’s CGL intends to construct an ammonia plant from natural gas fields in Ethiopia to produce an overall 2.5 million Tonnes of liquid hydrogen and 700,000 tonnes in its first phase of operations. 
2. AMEA Power, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, has entered into a significant agreement with Ethiopian Electric Power to develop and manage a 300 MW wind farm in Ethiopia's Somali region. This project, dubbed Aysha-1, represents the largest wind energy facility in the Horn of Africa, aiming for an annual output of 1,400 GWh. The generated electricity will be sufficient to supply power to approximately 4 million households, greatly aiding the nation’s efforts towards decarbonisation. This accord, signed during COP28 in Dubai, enhances collaboration between Ethiopia's public and private sectors. As a crucial partner in this initiative, AMEA Power will finance, construct, and operate the facility. At the same time, Ethiopian Electric Power will acquire the generated electricity through a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

Financing

No public financial investments have been declared yet. 

Government green hydrogen lead 

Ministry of Finance 

Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE)