Recognising the importance of a robust procurement framework to attract private investment into the infrastructure sector, including energy, in 2017 the Government of Ethiopia introduced the Public–Private Partnerships policy. From 2018, several non-hydro renewable energy projects were planned, and auctions have been launched. The implementation of the new procurement framework faces challenges, as well as bringing opportunities for private sector participation in order to meet the target of universal access to electricity by 2030.
The UK government-funded study, Renewable Energy Procurement in Ethiopia: Overcoming Obstacles in Procurement from Independent Power Producers, aimed to explore these emerging challenges and opportunities. The study draws on a wide literature review, primary data from more than 70 interviews and stakeholder consultations, and secondary data exploring the political economy challenges facing IPP project preparation, decision-making, coordination and implementation, and risks to investors.
On 16th November 2021, the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), along with its partner organisations, the Ethiopian Policy Research Institute and Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) of the University of Sussex, organised this webinar to share with research users the findings, conclusions and recommendations of its three year study. The webinar was attended by over 25 participants drawn from government, donors and financiers, private sector developers and academia.
The webinar was chaired by Dr Lucy Baker from SPRU, and Dr Seife Ayele and Dr Wei Shen (both from IDS) delivered the main presentation. Four distinguished panellists provided their feedback on the presentation and reflected on the development of renewable energy in Ethiopia and beyond:
- Mr Gossaye Mengiste Abayneh, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Water and Energy, Ethiopia
- Mr Darrell Boyd, former Director of Tulu Moye Geothermal
- Mr Saliem Fakir, Executive Director, African Climate Foundation
- Dr Dawit Mekonnen, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Food Policy Research Institute
Finally, Mr Benjamin Klooss from Oxford Policy Management provided a concluding note, highlighting the importance of research in policy on renewable energy development.
Slides of the main presentation and panellists feedback are available here.
Key contacts
