Ethiopia has achieved a major milestone in its renewable energy expansion with the completion of the first phase of the Aysha II Wind Farm, a US $257.3M project designed to deliver 120MW of clean power once fully operational. The Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) Generation Business Unit confirmed that the first 80 MW is now ready for commissioning.
Located near Aysha, about 700 kilometers east of Addis Ababa, the project features 48 turbines supplied and installed by Dongfang Electric Corporation of China, each with a capacity of 2.5 MW. The first phase included the installation of 32 turbines, a switchyard, and 30 residential units for staff.
Construction began in February 2024, and the remaining 16 turbines are currently being installed under the ongoing second phase, valued at US $69M. Eight of these turbines have already been completed and shipped from China, with delivery expected within 45 days.
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EEP financed 15% of the project around US $38M, while the Export-Import Bank of China covered the remaining 85% through concessional financing. However, construction progress faced delays after the lender suspended payments to the contractor following a US $114M disbursement. EEP has since stepped in to fund the second phase and ensure timely completion.
The Aysha II project forms part of Ethiopia’s broader plan to diversify energy generation and reduce dependence on hydropower, which currently dominates the national grid. It complements the Aysha I Wind Farm, the largest in the Horn of Africa, and aligns with the government’s strategy to expand renewable energy exports to Djibouti and Kenya.
Aysha II also supports Ethiopia’s ambitious green transition, which includes landmark projects such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (5,150 MW) commissioned in 2025 and the Koysha Hydropower Project on the Omo River, now 65% complete. Together, these developments underscore Ethiopia’s determination to become a regional clean energy hub.