Ethiopia’s ambitious Koysha Hydropower Dam project has reached 65% completion, marking a significant milestone in the country’s push for energy self-sufficiency and economic growth. According to state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate, senior Ethiopian government officials recently inspected the project and reaffirmed its importance in addressing the nation’s energy demands while also unlocking new socio-economic opportunities.
Once completed, the dam will have an installed capacity of 1,800 megawatts (MW), making it one of Ethiopia’s largest hydropower sources. Ethiopian Electric Power, the state-owned power utility, has emphasized the dam’s role in boosting electricity generation and improving energy access across the country. The project features an artificial lake covering 200 square kilometers, which is expected to enhance tourism and benefit surrounding communities economically.
The Koysha Hydropower Dam aligns with Ethiopia’s broader energy development strategy. In November 2023, the Ministry of Water and Energy announced that the country’s total energy generation capacity had surpassed 6,000 MW, driven by investments in renewable energy. Ethiopia’s government has set an ambitious target to double the nation’s electricity generation capacity to 13,000 MW by 2028. With its vast hydropower potential estimated at 45,000 MW across eight major river basins, Ethiopia is leveraging its abundant water resources to become a regional energy powerhouse.
Ethiopia, the second most populous country in Africa with approximately 126.5 million people, has historically faced challenges in meeting its growing electricity needs. The government has prioritized large-scale hydropower projects to bridge the energy deficit, support industrialization, and enhance regional electricity trade through interconnections with neighboring countries.
Beyond energy generation, the Koysha Dam is expected to create employment opportunities, improve infrastructure, and attract investors to the tourism sector. The artificial lake could support water-based tourism activities, benefiting local businesses and communities.
As Ethiopia moves forward with its energy development agenda, projects like the Koysha Hydropower Dam will play a pivotal role in achieving national development goals while positioning the country as a leader in sustainable energy within Africa
