Chinese Government provides ETB 25.4 million grant for Nationwide Wind and Solar Energy Grid Based Master Plan Project

On January 11, 2010, the Chinese Government and the Government of Ethiopia signed letters of exchange with respect to the Nationwide Wind and Solar Energy Grid Based Master Plan Project.

According to the Government of Ethiopia’s Aid Management Platform (AMP), China’s Ministry of Commerce agreed to provide a grant to the Government of Ethiopia worth approximately ETB 25,466,201 to support this project.

The purpose of the project was to undertake a field investigation of wind and solar energy resources in Ethiopia, prepare an Ethiopian wind and solar energy development master plan, recommend 2 wind farm sites and a photovoltaic power station site, prepare pre-feasibility study reports for the 2 wind farms and photovoltaic power station, and provide a 30-day training of 10 Ethiopian technicians in Ethiopia and China.

HydroChina International Engineering Company (HCIE) was the general contractor responsible for project implementation. On February 22, 2011, it signed an RMB 10.8 million contract with China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM). HCIE was responsible for organizing and managing the wind and solar master plan.

Beijing Engineering Corporation was responsible for the implementation and design of the wind and solar master plan. The master plan was released on August 15, 2012. By August 23, 2012, all data collection activities, site surveys, and reports were complete.