More wind power in Africa - Ethiopia leads the way

Several African countries are doing their best to open the door for new renewable energy projects. One of these countries is Ethiopia that has become the home to a largest wind farm in the continent.

The Ashegoda Wind Farm was built by French firm Vergnet SA, and is expected to generate 120 MW of electricity, thus helping Ethiopia not only to diversify its energy portfolio but also to become exporter to neighboring African countries.This wind turbine is equipped with 84 turbines and one of its purposes being to mitigate the impact of dry seasons on the country's dams.

Hydropower still leads the way in Ethiopia with 6,000 MW Grand Renaissance Dam under construction on the Nile as one of the largest hydro projects currently developing on the black continent.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn hopes that this project will lead to more wind energy harnessing in the country. He pointed that "there is potential to harness abundant wind energy resources in every region of Ethiopia."

This wind farm isn't the first of its kind in Ethiopia. This African country is also the home to 51 MW Adama I wind farm, which began generating power in 2011.

There is no doubt that hydropower will continue to remain the most important energy source in Ethiopia with the estimated hydropower potential at around 45,000 MW. However, wind could add to more diversified energy portfolio in the country because the latest studies have shown good potential for further wind energy development as wind power potential in Ethiopia is said to be Africa's third-largest behind Egypt and Morocco.