Ethiopia and the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) on Friday signed an agreement for the construction of power transmission line of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) at a ceremony held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Mihret Debebe, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo), and China Electric Power Equipment and Technology Co, Ltd (CET) of SGCC, signed the deal.

The GERD power transmission line Project has a total length of 1,136 km and it will be executed at a cost of 1.458 billion U.S. dollars. It is said that it will be commenced in two months time.

The GERD-Dedessa-Holeta 500kv power transmission project is programmed to transmit power from the future GERD hydroelectric power station through two 500kv double circuit transmission line to the new Dedessa, then Holeta substations and then through 400kv from Holeta to Sebeta II, Holeta to Sululta II, and Holeta to Akaki II existing substations.

Signing the agreement, Mihret Debebe, CEO of EEPCo, noted that the project involves one of the largest extra high voltaic transmission lines, the first in its kind in Africa with the exception of few in Egypt and South Africa.

The CEO highlighted on the project's role played in regional power link on the African continent as it supplies power to the Ethiopian national grid and also to the two corridors to southern Sudan and northern Sudan.

He also stated that the project is a milestone proving the Ethiopian government's objective making Ethiopia the green energy hub in the region as well as on the continent.

"The project GRD is designed in such a way to supply power to the Ethiopian national grid, and the two corridors, especially the Southern Sudan corridor and the Northern Sudan corridor," said the CEO.

Indicating that the timing of the project is critical, Mihret urged the SGCC to do utmost to achieve it.

Speaking on behalf of the SGCC, Du Zhigang, Deputy President of SGCC, stated that his company has attached great importance to the project and would carry out the project as per the schedule.

Reiterating that China and Ethiopia have been enjoying a long- standing friendship, he said that SGCC would cooperate with the Ethiopian government and its people towards the development of power and also the economic growth of the country.

He said the SGCC would accomplish the project successfully as per the schedule to further strengthen the friendship and cooperation of China and Ethiopia.He also expressed his firm belief that with the support of the two governments and joint efforts, the project would be fruitful.

Witnessing the signing of the project, Alemayehu Tegenu, Ethiopian Minister of Water and Energy, said that the construction of the transmission line would help benefit Ethiopia's economy and ensure industrial development.

He also thanked the CET of China and those who participate for the realization of the signing of the project. Endi

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