Preparations for Eastern Africa regional electrical interconnection well underway

Friday, 01 August 2008

Addis Ababa, August 1 (WIC) - Preparations for Eastern African regional electrical interconnection among all the seven member countries are progressing well, according to the Eastern African Power Pool (EAPP).   EAPP Acting Executive Secretary, Engedasew Negash, told WIC that various activities, including financial agreements for the establishment of the regional power pool, have been carried out.   Some 2.6 million euro financial agreement was signed between the European Commission and the African-Caribbean–Pacific Countries (ACP) on behalf of EAPP for funding its activities, he said.   Besides, a financing agreement of close to one million USD was concluded between the African Development Bank (AfDB) and EAPP Permanent Secretariat.   The funds would help strengthen the capability of the EAPP Permanent Secretariat to contribute to the improvement of the integration of the electricity markets of the eastern African countries, according to the Acting Executive Secretary.   The funds would also help design strategic business plans, regional database for the power pool and prepare regional power system master plan and electricity grid code, he added.   EAPP, NELSAP (Institution of Nile Basin Initiative for the Equatorial Lakes region) and COMESA are jointly facilitating discussions on power exchange agreement between Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and DRC, he further indicated.   The major three regional electrical interconnections being carried out under the auspices of Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) are the Ethio-Sudan, Ethio-Djibouti and Ethio-Kenya interconnections, Engedasew said, adding that the second project is under implementation while the last is being studied.   Established on February 24,2005 by ministers responsible for energy of Burundi, DR Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Sudan, EAPP has been adopted by COMESA on November 16,2006 as its specialized institution for electrical energy mar

--
Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
Procurement Consultant
Gsm: +250-08470205
Home: +250-55104140
P.O. Box 3867
Kigali-Rwanda
East Africa
Blog: http://www.cepgl.blogspot.com
Skype ID : Kayisa66