Mapping Energy Access and Demand in Ethiopia

An online interactive platform, called Energy Access Explorer, EAE, that uses mapping to visualize the state of energy access launched on January 17/2022 in  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

EAE is an online, open-source, interactive, geospatial platform that enables clean energy entrepreneurs, energy planners, donors, and development-oriented institutions to identify high priority areas where energy access can be expanded. Furthermore, EAE functions as a dynamic Geographic Information System and data repository which reduces software engineering and data transaction costs both for data providers and users.

EAE Ethiopia is the first ever open source dynamic information system which comes with a front-end for data users and a user friendly back-end for data administrators. The launch is not the end of the initiative, rather than an important milestone! A sustainability plan is put in place in order to ensure the longevity and relevance of EAE for the country. This plan starts with a training workshop, where stakeholders will gain expertise in EAE and will be able to (a) generate prioritization maps focusing on areas where access to energy should be expanded for socio-economic development and (b) better process, store, manage and update data in a cost-effective manner. The plan continues with long-term technical support and analytical products among other items.

Source: Energy Access Explorer Ethiopia

Ministry of Water and Energy, World Resources Institute and Africa Clean Energy Technical Assistance Facility (ACE TAF) reps officially launched the platform at a hybrid of face to face and virtual discussion with experts from different institutions. During the launching discussion, Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa said the platform is helpful to identify energy resources and demand across the country and the plan of achieving full electrification by 2025 with private sector investment. “It will not be possible to achieve access to all Ethiopians without the private sector,” Habtamu said. According to the minister, the government is working to fully electrify Ethiopia using different energy sources and through on grid and off grid connections.

During the launching discussion, Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa said the platform is helpful to identify energy resources and demand across the country and the plan of achieving full electrification by 2025 with private sector investment.

(from Right: Ethiopian Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa)

According to the minister, the government is working to fully electrify Ethiopia using different energy sources and through on grid and off grid connections.

Currently 55 percent of the Ethiopian population has no access to electricity in the country, he stated, adding that the rest 34 and 11 get electricity access through on grid and off grid connections respectively. Especially solar assembly manufacturers are highly encouraged to invest in Ethiopia, the minister pointed out.

The government is creating conducive environment for private sector investments of different form, including in Public-Private Partnership, using different energy sources. The ongoing electrification program will mainly catalyze educational, health and agricultural activities in Ethiopia, it was indicated.

The launched platform provides valuable information to a multitude of stakeholders, including, off-grid and mini-grid developers, energy planner and electrification institutions of countries and investors.