News From Afar

The projected rapid growth in population, urbanization, and GDP growth create a progressive stress and conspicuous increase in demand. In particular, the AADMP forecasts an increase in electricity demand in the city (covering the current 10 sub-cities) from 614 MW in 2015 to 1747 in 2034. 22 This will stress the current system and require a reinforcement of transmission corridors from the Western and North Western regions to Addis and the upgrading and expansion of substations. Loss reduction measures should be considered during the planning phase. The cost of the recommended short term rehabilitation and expansion of the distribution network is estimated at $285 million between 2015 and 2017. To avoid major disruption to the system at the household level as well as prevent urban fire, AACG should ensure that the residential electric wiring systems meet minimum safety standards. A certification mechanism should be designed and enforced. Periodic household inspections are needed to make sure that there are no risky situations created by unsecure modifications of the system. Wooden distribution poles in the network are planned to be progressively replaced by concrete to address the fire risk. An awareness campaign could be promoted to inform households about avoiding electric hazards and how illegal connections can provoke major accidents.