Gibe III Hydroelectric Project said Best Option in Power Sector Development

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank (WB) experts acknowledged Gibe III Hydroelectric Project is the best option in the power sector developments, and would boost the economic and social integrations among the Eastern African countries.

On a wrap- up meeting held at the Sheraton Addis on October 17, 2009, after a thorough visit to the Gibe III hydroelectric project site, downstream and the Lake Turkana area, the experts affirmed that the project is extraordinarily important for the social and economic growth and wellbeing of the country as well as the region through provision of sustainable power to the Sudan, Kenya and Djibouti.

Mr. Stephen F.Lintner

“A number of activities are going on in the Eastern Africa; in terms of power sharing, quiet clearly Gibe III hydroelectric Project has a broader vision in enabling the neighboring countries work together to provide energy and to have greater access to energy that supports the economic growth and poverty reduction.”, Stephen F.Lintner, Senior Technical Advisor for the World Bank, said.

The Technical advisor further expressed his impression about the scope and size of the project, and added that he came to recognize the project's valuable impacts not only for the Ethiopian people but also for the regional economic growth.

Yogesh Vyas, Lead Environmental Expert of the African Development Bank (AfDB), on his part noted that the Gibe III Hydroelectric Project is one of the best and exceptional projects in the power sector development in the world.

Mr. Yogesh Vyas

“I think this is one of the unique and best projects we feel in the power sector, which will not only serve the needs of Ethiopian people in terms of provision of electrical power as well as poverty reduction but also a hope for the region to serve Kenya, Sudan and Djibouti. And the location of the dam site and its geological nature is unique. It is an ideal for power development.” Vyas said.

Regarding the project's environmental and social impacts, according to Vyas, AfDB is dealing with issues of complaints through formal process led by its internal review mechanism.

Vyas mentioned that those of the complaints against the project stem from lack of awareness and proper information, and he added that more work has to be done focusing on the downstream and Lake Turkana along with stackholdres, and other parties who still have some concern about the project.

Likewise, Carlo Boido, the Employer's Representative, said that the project is not only giving energy to people but also would enable to enhance in particular the socio-economic development of the downstream people.

Mr. Carlo Boido

He also underlined that EEPCo is responsibly committed to take care of all the social and environmental issues up to its level best, for which, he added, WB, AfDB and EIB experts appreciated the ESIA documents prepared by the Consultants of EEPCo.