Ethiopia Electric Power has invited expressions of interest (EOIs) from consultancy firms to carry out early-stage studies for five hydropower projects with a combined installed capacity of 1,097MW.

The deadline for bids is 8 March (2019).

Early-stage work includes feasibility studies, environmental social impact assessments (ESIA) and resettlement action plans (RAP).

Interested firms may bid for two lots of hydro dams, these are:

• Lot 1
  • 301MW Didessa – feasibility study
  • 280MW Chemoga Yada stage 1 & 2 – feasibility study update, ESIA, RAP
• Lot 2
  
  • 422MW Halele Werabessa stage 1 & 2 – feasibility study update, ESIA, RAP
  • 256MW Genale Dawa VI – feasibility study update, ESIA, RAP
  • 100MW Genale Dawa V – feasibility study

The African Development Bank in July 2016 signed a $105 million loan with the government of Ethiopia to support the Ethiopian power sector. A portion of this loan will fund the consultancy services for the hydro projects.

Ethiopia's government has been forging ahead with numerous renewable energy projects announced in 2018. The Didessa dam was first announced in May, albeit with a higher installed power capacity. The other four projects were announced in October as part of the bundle of 17 energy and road PPPs, worth $6.5 billion.