Ethiopian Review

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) announced that it has finalized preparations to distributed 4.5 million power saving bulbs imported with more than 40 million birr.

EEPCo public relations head, Misikr Negash told WIC yesterday that the corporation is utilizing various options so as to address the current electric power shortage in the country.

The 350,000 bulbs distributed in west Addis Ababa for trial are saving 5 MW electric power a day, he said, and added that the newly imported lamps would enable the nation save up to 82 MW electric power per day.

Misikir said each customer would get four energy saving bulbs in exchange for old-style bulbs at the bill collection centers.

According to the head, besides saving power and money, lights save energy by producing light without heat.

He said costumers should assist the efforts being made to address the current power shortage by utilizing power saving bulbs.

He said EEPCo is working rigorously to alleviate the power shortage occurred in the country by installing 60 MW electric power diesel generators. EEPCo is spending 20,000 dollar monthly for the generators.

He said Tekeze and Gilgel Gibe II hydroelectric power dams with the combined capacity of generating 720 MW would go operational at the end of this fiscal year if sufficient rain water enters to the dam, thereby alleviating the current power shortage.

- ENA