Ethiopia's New Wind Farm Brings Clean Power to Thousands

Wind turbines are now spinning across Ethiopia's Somali Region, delivering clean electricity to a nation racing toward a green energy future.

The first phase of the Aysha II Wind Power Plant went live last week, adding 80 megawatts of renewable power to Ethiopia's national grid. When complete, the facility will feature 48 turbines generating 120 megawatts total, enough to power entire communities without burning a single drop of fossil fuel.

"Chinese companies have become strategic partners to Ethiopia through financing and constructing renewable energy development projects," said Samson Tadesse, the project's manager. The collaboration goes beyond just building infrastructure.

Dongfang Electric Corporation, the Chinese contractor, upgraded the technology during construction, boosting each turbine's capacity from 1.5 megawatts to 2.5 megawatts. When funding ran short, the company invested its own money to keep the project moving forward.

The wind farm joins other successful collaborations, including the Adama I and II plants, which already pump clean energy into Ethiopia's grid. These projects transfer technical knowledge to local experts, building Ethiopia's capacity to maintain and expand its renewable energy network for years to come.

The Ripple Effect

Ethiopia sits on abundant renewable resources but has long struggled to harness them at scale. This partnership model solves two problems at once: it brings financing and expertise while helping Ethiopia meet its climate goals.

Girma Zeleke, a director at Ethiopian Electric Power, notes the timing couldn't be better. Ethiopia wants to develop its renewable potential, while China has committed to financing green energy projects worldwide.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called clean energy development "central to the country's long-term economic transformation" during the inauguration ceremony. The 32 turbines already operational represent more than just megawatts. They're proof that developing nations can leapfrog fossil fuels and build modern energy systems around wind, water, and sun.

The Aysha II project launched in 2017 and will reach full capacity soon, with the remaining 16 turbines coming online to complete the 48-turbine array. Each one represents progress toward a climate-resilient economy that lifts people out of energy poverty while protecting the planet.

Ethiopia's wind farms show how international cooperation can turn renewable potential into spinning turbines that power real homes, businesses, and dreams.