Introduction to the Ethiopian Electric Power

Corporation (EEPCo)
The Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) was named in 1997- after serving
previously in the name of the Ethiopian Electric Light and Power Authority, which was
established in 1956. EEPCo is a government owned utility responsible for the generation,
transmission, distribution and sales service of electric energy throughout Ethiopia. The
corporation has two electric power supply systems: the Interconnected System (ICS) and
the Self Contained System (SCS). The main energy source of ICS is hydropower plants,
and for the SCS mini-hydro and diesel power generators allocated in various areas of the
country.
The ICS consists of 11 hydro, one geothermal, and 15 diesel power plants with a total
capacity of 2022.2 MW, of which 91% is generated from hydropower plants. The SCS
consists of three small hydro and many isolated diesel plants, located throughout the
country with a capacity of 6.15MW and 30.06MW respectively.
As part of the government’s growth and transformation plan, EEPCo has launched
hydropower, and other renewable, projects to meet the 10,000MW target in the coming five
years.
The electric energy generated from the main hydropower plants is transported through
high voltage transmission lines rated 45, 66, 132, 230 and 400 kV. The 400 kV transmission
lines of 685.71 km were constructed and commissioned recently while 500kV and DC lines
are being considered as part of the five year plan. The total length of the existing
transmission lines is about 10884.23 km. Regional interconnections with neighboring
countries including Djibouti, Sudan and Kenya are under the construction and
procurement phases.
80,000Kms of power distribution in both ICS and SCS is achieved at primary voltage of 33
volts and 15kV lines, and step down to 380 and 220 volts to customer’s level. The total
number of customers connected by EEPCo at present is around 1,896,265. EEPCO
increased the number of electrified towns and villages reached to a total of 5163, which

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brought electric energy access to 41%. At present EEPCo is undertaking investment
projects of two billion dollars per annum.

EEPCo's Vision
To be a center of excellence in providing quality electric service to everyone’s doorstep and
being competitive in energy export.

EEPCo’s Mission
To provide adequate and quality electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and sales
services, through continuous improvement of utility management practices, and responsive to the
socio-economic development and environmental protection needs of the public.

The electric energy generated from the main hydropower plants is transported through
high voltage transmission lines rated 45, 66, 132, 230 and 400 kV are summarized in the
following table.

RESOURCE GENERATION IN MW
Hydro Power 1978
Diesel Power 112
Geothermal Power 7
Wind Power 171
Total 2268

Transmission lines of hydropower

Number voltage transmission lines in KV Distance traveled in KM
1 400 686.7
2 230 4222.95
3 132 5033
4 66 2234
5 45 476
Total 873 12652.65

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Major power sector developments
Power plants completed in 2013
Ashegoda wind power – 120 MW
Power plants under construction
Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam – 6,000MW

Gibe III – 1,870 MW

Genale Dawa III – 254 MW

Adama II – 153 MW

Solar power 300MW (US based company)

Aluto Langano geothermal expansion – 70 MW

GoE, GoJ, WB, SREP
Repi Waste-to-Energy power – 50 MW

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