Abstract:
Ethiopia is a nation rich with abundant sources of renewable energy and has an enormous
potential for the generation of sustainable energy including electricity. However, access
to clean, efficient and modern energy services is a critical challenge the nation is facing.
The aim of this study was to assess and model the Ethiopian energy sector management
system. In doing so, both qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed to
gather and analyze the necessary data. Unstructured interviews, direct observations,
discussions with officials and experts and review and analysis of secondary were used.
The findings indicated that the overall energy sector management systems and the
national energy policy of the country are incapable of addressing the long term energy
challenges. The sector is mainly challenged and characterized by inefficient generation,
transmission and utilization of renewable energy sources; poor mixes of energy supply
together with highly imbalanced, inadequate, irregular and insecure demand and supply;
and visible environmental degradation. To the reverse of this, international and state
commitments, the new privatization modality devised for the sector and the demand of
electricity shown in the neighboring countries are considered as opportunities of the
sector. The models developed in all scenarios revealed that the emissions of CO2 are non
existent by 2030. As a result the supply of energy in the modeling period would be
changed to renewable and the primary energy supply system would get diversified from a
system dominated by wooden biomass to the use of renewable and other indigenous
resources. Due to this, one can dare to say that all the scenarios would lead the country to achieve the 7th goal of Sustainable Development, SDG 7; sustainable energy for all.