Technology group, Voith, has opened a new hydro-power projects Hub in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The new facility will be a center for coordinating and planning hydro-power projects in nine countries including: Ethiopia, Sudan, Rwanda, Egypt, South Sudan, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda
In the well-attended opening ceremony, Uwe Wehnhardt, CEO of Voith Hydro and Member of the Corporate Management Board, said that by opening the new facility, Voith is reinforcing its commitment to support the development of clean energy generation in Africa.
He stated that Ethiopia is an ideal base for the new facility due to its impressive economic development in recent years, good market conditions and the proximity to customers and partners, as well as, the hydro-power market potential.
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Ethiopia has one of the largest resources in Africa with a hydro-power potential of 45,000 MW and has been boosting the development of renewable energies with the aim of being the energy hub for East Africa in the medium term.
Wehnhardt explained that Ethiopia has a large number of well-trained experts, crediting it to the outstanding history of hydro-power projects in the country.
“Some of these experts are now supporting us in our new East Africa Hub,” he said .
In Kenya, Voith is modernizing the Wanjii small hydro-power plant, upgrading its generators, control technology as well as the electro-mechanical equipment. The upgrade is set to be completed by mid-2019. The company is also playing a leading role in hydro-power projects in other East African countries.
Voith said it will continue playing an active role in developing a sustainable energy supply in Africa and work with investors and customers to achieve the cause.
Voith has been a partner in the region for more than 70 years.
