Hydropower for sustainable water and energy development in Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia is currently one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. Due to this rapid growth in economy the country is facing a huge challenge to meet the fast growing energy demand. The major demand comes from industrial, agricultural, service sectors and from the rising household consumption because of the rising standard of living. From among the many other sources of energy, the country identified hydropower to be the key to satisfy the current growing energy demand. When the government decided to develop huge hydropower projects on the country’s major river basins, it not only considered the country’s huge hydropower potential but also the additional social, economic and environmental benefits these multi-purpose hydropower projects bring. These hydropower projects also provide the opportunity to mitigate their minimal negative environmental impacts. This paper will explore the country’s hydropower potential, energy consumption, and future energy demand. Then it discusses the role of hydropower in terms of satisfying the energy demand and the advantages it provides as compared to other alternative energy technologies. Finally, the part hydropower plays in leading the country into a more sustainable energy future is explored as well.