Development of Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest wind farm begins in Ethiopia

Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest wind farm, The Ashegoda wind farm, has begun production in Ethiopia, adding 120 MW in capacity to the country’s growing renewable energy plans.

Located near city of Mekele, the farm has an estimated annual production of 400 GWh and will save 300,000 tonnes of CO2 per year as well as provide a source of renewable electricity for nearly one million people annually.

84 wind turbines will make up the farm, which is being built by the French firm Vergner SA who assert that Ethiopia has one of the most impressive investment plans in renewable energy in Africa and that the country is actually taking action rather than only talking. Vergner is working on the project in collaboration with a variety of partners including Alstom and has the continuing support of the French government. The company hope that the completed plant will be a good addition to their portfolio and will help to win contracts from other markets, like Nigeria.

The wind farm is contributing to Ethiopia’s efforts to diversify electricity generation and to the country’s aim of becoming a major regional exporter of energy. It will also help Ethiopia’s to reach  their ambitious energy goals which include reaching 800 MW in wind capacity and 10,000 MW in total energy capacity in the next three to five years.

As Ethiopia’s population increases across the country, and in cities in particular, securing alternative sources of renewable power other than the country’s ample hydropower is crucial. The government of Ethiopia has stressed that the country cannot maintain this growth without efficient utilisation of the energy sector. Wind power is an excellent choice as various studies have shown that the potential for wind energy is plentiful in every region of Ethiopia.