Renewable Energy Procurement in Ethiopia

Developing countries are increasingly using auctions for the procurement of utility-scale renewable electricity, due to the potential for attracting private investment. However, auction design and implementation can face serious obstacles due to complex context-specific factors. In 2017 Ethiopia launched its Public-Private Partnership policy and procurement framework to promote its infrastructure development, including electricity generation. This UK government-funded study, Renewable Energy Procurement in Ethiopia: Overcoming Obstacles in Procurement from Independent Power Producers, aimed to explore the emerging challenges and opportunities. It drew on a wide literature review, primary data from more than 70 interviews and stakeholder consultations, and secondary data exploring the political economy challenges facing IPP project preparation, decision-making, coordination and implementation, and risks to investors. This webinar presented the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the study.
Chair: Lucy Baker from SPRU,
Presenters: Seife Ayele and Wei Shen (IDS)
Panellists:
Gossaye Mengiste Abayneh, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Water and Energy, Ethiopia
Darrell Boyd, former Director of Tulu Moye Geothermal
Saliem Fakir, Executive Director, African Climate Foundation
Dawit Mekonnen, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Food Policy Research Institute
Closing remarks: Mr Benjamin Klooss from Oxford Policy Management