German engineer Siemens
has agreed a framework for future energy and transport projects with the
government of Ethiopia.
As well as undertaking projects,
Siemens will be involved in financing them, and also in training Ethiopian
technicians to operate them.
Joe Kaeser, Siemens’ chief
executive, commented: “We will apply our vast experience and proven
technologies as well as training and education capabilities to help shape the
future of Ethiopia and its people. One of the starting projects affirming our
strong commitment in the region is the East Africa Interconnector.”
Ethiopia has made the development
of energy generation one of the pillars of its economic growth strategy,
embodied and symbolised by the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
As well as the 1,000-km
interconnector, which will enable Ethiopia to export up to 2GW of its
electricity to Kenya, Siemens will be involved in expanding the national grid,
finding specific energy solutions for Ethiopia’s wave of industrial parks, and
finding micro-grid solutions for remote villages.
Abebe Abebayehu, a commissioner
with the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), tweeted saying the agreement
aims “to establish innovative mediums for partnership between multi-nationals,
public institutions & other key stakeholders. It further seeks to foster
vocational training in engineering disciplines & strengthening small &
medium sized local businesses.”
Sabine Dall’Omo, Siemens’ chief
executive for southern and eastern Africa, said: “This milestone agreement is
another step in demonstrating our strong commitment to the people and
government of Ethiopia. We are here today as we have been since 1927, to help
achieve affordable and reliable power supply, create jobs, increase access to
training and develop local skills alongside local partners.”
Siemens established a permanent office in the country in 2017.http://www.globalconstructionreview.com/news/siemens-signs-long-term-deal-boost-ethiopias-energ/
