How will the development of the hydro power resources change Ethiopia in the years to come?
- I guess I don’t have to tell a Norwegian about this! You have been through this and know how important it is for the economy and the development of the country. In Norway you have both rivers and oil resources and have managed to develop both. In Ethiopia our water is “our oil”. It is a challenge all over East Africa to develop the hydro power potential. Ethiopia is blessed with the second best hydropower potential after the DR Congo – a potential of 45 000 MW - and it is important to harness all our possible energy sources. The government is focusing on the environmental friendly, renewable hydro power energy and I believe the initial investment will pay off; we have a huge domestic demand with a booming business sector – and our plans will also allow us to export energy to the region – connecting Sudan, Djibouti and Kenya. The preparations are being undertaken, this can even lead our power to Yemen via Djibouti and Somalia if the political situation gets better. There is a huge potential! Some years back we used to say that the topography of this country was a challenge – now, with the hydro power development in mind, it is a blessing. It will require a huge amount of resources. Previously it has been challenging to get loans but I think we will succeed with the good cooperation with our partners.
The Ministry has conducted nine basin studies so far and localised sites for hydropower development. The Norwegian engineering consulting company Norplan is among the companies that have made feasibility studies for the government, for example in the Karadobi, Beko Abo and Mandaya basin.
The Minister has been working with water resources for more than 15 years. With a background as mineral/geology engineer and hydrologist he started working in the mining sector in the South after his graduation. In 1995 he took up the position as Deputy Bureau head in the Bureau of Water, then acting as the Head of the Water Bureau from January 1998 to September in 2005. From October 2005 he has been serving as the federal Minister of Water Resources.
You have a hectic job?
- Yes, but the water resource portfolio is very important for the government. We have vast water resources: 12 big basins with 10 rivers that we are sharing with one or two countries in the region. We are often called the water tower of East Africa and we must harness and develop this potential, says the Minister.
The government’s water resource strategy includes four pillars:
- We have the integrated water resource management plan where we want to develop the basins, the water supply and sanitation sector, irrigation and hydro power development.
- The water supply in Ethiopia has been among the lowest in Africa. But we have a very ambitious programme, the universal access programme that will increase the water supply to 20 litres per day per capita. This is also found in our constitution where it is stated that the entire population has the right to get water.
Developing irrigation systems is also high on the agenda for the minister.
- Our farmers used to base agriculture on the rain. With the current climate change and unstable rain seasons, this is not durable anymore. That is why we have put in place a study and want to develop the irrigation potential. We can utilize a lot of land by using irrigation, and we hope that within 3-4 years more than 500 000 hectares can be used. Currently 150 000 is under development.
The ministry’s plans include many big projects?
- Yes, but there is both an ambition and willingness to work on this!
The Nile cooperation is another very important task for the Minister these days:
- We need to put in place the framework for the use of the rivers – this is challenging, with ten countries negotiating around the table. The Nile Basin Initiative started the negotiations ten years ago.
- When we started, the biggest achievement was to gather the representatives from the ten countries around one table, says the minister.
The Nile has been most important for Egypt while many of the other countries in the region have been dependent on rain fed agriculture. With the changing environment and increasing population and poverty there has been an increasing need for the Nile resource. International treaties have emerged on how to use and regulate the water.
- I believe that there is no other option than having a cooperating approach to this challenge. Among the articles in the treaty there is still one that remains contentious. Hopefully an agreement will be signed soon. This has been a long overdue process, but the solution should be within reach, says the minister.
This will be a win-win situation for the people along the Nile – but also very good for the river.
How would you describe the cooperation with Norway?
- The cooperation with Norway can only be described as one of the best! I remember when I was working in the south ten years ago that the Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) was doing great work with the water sector in the south. The Ministry has also received a lot of support, for instance in 2005 when the Norwegian government supported our emergency fund with funding for pumps, generators and other equipments. The cooperation within the hydro power development is a big step. The Norwegian government has financed feasibility studies for several basins and Norway is also supporting the Nile Basin Initiative which we also benefit from. Some months ago your Minister for Environment and International Development visited Ethiopia and the Norad support has increased. I think the relations with Norway will continue to prosper and develop.
The minister has also had good experiences with Norwegian companies working with the energy sector in Ethiopia.
- We also have very good experience with Norwegian companies and their knowledge. They are making very good reports. The minister also went to Oslo last year.
- Then I met your hydrogeological department (NGI) – one of the best institutions in the field, says the minister.