Ethiopian Investment Holding (EIH) has unveiled an ambitious plan to eradicate unjustified power disruptions in the Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU). This initiative, announced by EEU’s newly appointed CEO, Getu Geremew, and EIH CEO, Brooke Taye, aims to replicate successes from other countries in achieving a “Zero-power disruption” scenario.
Brooke Taye emphasized that power outages caused by preventable factors, such as tree growth and branches interfering with power lines, should become a thing of the past. “We want to see the changes that have been made by other government agencies replicated in the Ethiopian electricity service,” Dr. Brooke stated. They also underscored the importance of not only addressing the causes of power cuts but also promptly notifying the public of the estimated restoration time.
EIH, which oversees EEU as part of its portfolio of state-owned enterprises, has developed a comprehensive plan to enhance the efficiency and reliability of the country’s energy supply. This initiative follows a change in management at EEU, with Getu Geremew succeeding Shiferaw Telila, who had been CEO since 2018.
One of the immediate priorities outlined by EEU is clearing trees and branches that interfere with power distribution lines. Getu noted that 47% of reported power cuts were due to plant-related issues. He added that the tree control initiative launched two months ago has reached 50% implementation levels in Addis Ababa and 30% nationwide. The EEU is committed to completing the remaining work within a 100-day action plan.
In addition to plant management, EEU is also addressing infrastructure theft and vandalism, which significantly contribute to power outages. “As you will soon notice, we have suffered massive infrastructure damage in various parts of Ethiopia, including Ambo, Gondar, Woldiya, and Kombolcha, leading to long-term power cuts for our customers,” the CEO said.
To improve customer service and combat corruption, EEU has launched a new mobile app that allows customers to report cases of malpractice and corruption anonymously. This digital platform, which includes a Telegram bot and website, promotes greater transparency and accountability by ensuring the confidentiality of whistleblowers.
The collaborative efforts of EIH and EEU indicate a renewed commitment to improving the reliability and efficiency of Ethiopia’s energy sector, ultimately benefiting families and businesses across the country.
