With a population of about 82 million, Ethiopia has one of the fastest growing economies in Africa and has made significant progress in improving key human development indicators and reducing poverty.
The Ethiopian government has launched a new five-year plan (2010-2015) called the Growth and Transformation Plan, aimed at fostering sustainable development.
As part of this program, it aims to increase power generation capacity from approximately 2,000 MW (megawatts) to 8,000 MW and provide 75 percent of its population with access to electricity by 2015, almost doubling the number connected in 2010.
Hydropower is a key focus area as the country uses only 5 percent of its abundant hydropower potential, estimated at 45,000 MW, the second-biggest in Africa.
“Access to electricity is a key factor for economic and social development. The substation extensions and upgrades will enhance transmission capacity and efficiency, to bring much needed electricity to consumers,” said Peter Leupp, head of ABB’s Power Systems division. "The technologies deployed will also help strengthen grid reliability, and improve interconnection and power stability with neighbouring countries.”
The project, financed by the African Development Fund, is part of EEPCO’s initiative to improve their electricity transmission system. This will help reduce transmission losses and provide power to more consumers across the country. The three 400/230 kilovolt (kV) and one 230/132/15 kV air-insulated switchgear substations are located in the greater Addis Ababa area.
ABB is responsible for the design, engineering, supply, and commissioning of the substations, including civil works. Some of the main products to be supplied include high-voltage products, switchgear and power transformers.
ABB will also extend the existing substation automation, telecommunication, control and protection systems. The project is expected to be completed by 2013.
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