Grid Integration of Variable Renewable Energy in Ethiopia
Basic Information
Grant ID: K-151
Region: Africa
Country: Ethiopia
Approval Year: 2020
Grant Year: Year 8
Amount Approved by Donor: $300000.00
Main Product Line: Pipeline Lending
Sector: Energy
Grant start/completion: 9/2/2021~ 6/30/2023
Grant Status: Active
TTLs: Mikul Bhatia (Senior Energy Specialist)
Grant Activities
Project Summary:
The project aims to facilitate variable renewable energy (VRE) integration in Ethiopia through technical assistance under the framework of the Sustainable Renewables Risk Mitigation Initiative (SRMI), and a capacity building program. The project contributes to increasing the reliable supply of electricity in a sustainable manner; expanding supply of affordable electricity to allow for access expansion in remote and poor areas of Ethiopia; and managing the impact of climate change by diversifying the sources of energy supply.
List of Activities:
- Technical assistance supported by the Sustainable Renewables Risk Mitigation Initiative (SRMI), which will provide analytical support to Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) for a secure and reliable operation of the Ethiopia electric power system.
- Preparatory work for the procurement of best-in-class tools for transmission network planning and operation
- Fund advisory work to design and launch a capacity building program aimed at raising awareness of the challenges of VRE integration to the power grid; building the required capacities in EEP.
Outcomes:
Output 1
- Report on: (i) VRE penetration potential, (ii) grid impact studies, and (iii) recommended transmission network upgrade
Output 2
- Note defining the transmission network planning and operation tools to be procured and the design of the related tendering process.
Output 3
- Capacity building and training events (workshops and formal trainings), as well as just-in-time advisory outputs (e.g., notes, presentations)
Outcomes
The project will significantly increase the variable renewable energy (VRE) penetration in the country, raising questions as to the capability of the Ethiopian power system to effectively integrate the additional VRE generation into the grid. The activities will produce notes and reports on VRE penetration potential, grid impact studies, and recommended transmission network upgrades. Definitions of the transmission network planning and operation tools, as well as the design of the related tendering process will be procured. Capacity building and training events as well as in-time advisory outputs will be provided.
Collaboration with K-Partners and Others:
- Korean Economic Development Cooperation Fund (Korean ECDF): The project proposes to establish a collaboration with the Korean EXIM Bank to pool financing and technical assistance support and establish channels for drawing Korean technical expertise in the integration of variable renewable energy.
- East Africa Power Pool (EAPP): The work on VRE integration will be benefitting from and contributing to the collaboration on regional power system planning, market development, and institution building.