Ethiopia & China Establish Joint Research Centre to Spur RE Development in Ethiopia

China and Ethiopia have launched a joint research and extension centre supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to fast-track renewable energy development in Ethiopia, a country situated in the Horn of Africa.

The Joint Research and Extension Center is expected to serve as a research, training and demonstration platform to enhance the capacity to access renewable energy technologies and facilitate the realization of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

At the launch of the event, Ethiopian State Minister of Water and Energy Sultan Wali emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation among Ethiopia, China and the UNDP in exploiting renewable energy resources.

“We are reinforcing our bilateral cooperation through laying a structural foundation for our next generation in starting a research and renewable energy development centre,” Wali said.

The State Minister also acknowledged the importance of cooperation with China under the South-South framework, particularly concerning the development of renewable energy sources.

“The South-South cooperation framework is an opportunity to bring China’s experience in biogas and solar (energy) to address Ethiopia’s energy needs for productive use. It helps to coordinate and drive China’s know-how and experience toward national development goals in Ethiopia,” he said.

With financial support from the Ministry of Commerce of China, the UNDP in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Energy of Ethiopia (MoWE), the Administrative Center for China’s Agenda 21, an affiliated entity of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, and China Agricultural University (CAU) is implementing a Biogas, Biomass and Solar Trilateral Cooperation Project (transitioning to sustainable energy uses in the agro-industry). The project primarily envisaged supporting renewable energy technology dissemination and scale-up for Ethiopia’s climate-resilient growth.

As part of the project’s outcomes, the establishment of the Joint Research and Extension Center was realized through collaboration between the Ministry of Water, Energy (MoWE), China Agricultural University (CAU), and Wolaita Sodo University in Ethiopia. The launch of the event marked the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) among the three institutions.

Cleophas Torori, the Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Ethiopia, praised the enduring partnership between UNDP, China, and Ethiopia. He highlighted that to address the energy access disparities and accomplish the energy and climate objectives in Ethiopia, UNDP, in collaboration with China, is providing support to the Ethiopian government through the implementation of the South-South cooperation initiative. This initiative primarily focuses on the trilateral cooperation project for renewable energy, aiming to bridge the gaps in energy access and meet the sustainable energy goals in Ethiopia.

“In Ethiopia, we remain committed to helping the country realize the transition to a jobs-rich green economy through renewable energy solutions, tapping into the collaboration with the government of China,” Torori said.

Chen Qizhen, Deputy Director General of the Administrative Center for China’s Agenda 21, said despite the challenges and uncertainties around the globe, the South-South cooperation framework is playing an increasingly important role.

“As the supplement to the traditional North-South cooperation, the new model of South-South and trilateral cooperation injects fresh impetus to solidarity and cooperation, and ensures mutual benefit and common development among developing countries,” Chen said.

Africa’s Deepening Ties With China

China is investing heavily in the energy projects of African countries. Chinese investments in the sub-Saharan Africa energy infrastructure grew tenfold over the ten years through 2020 to $14.5 billion, according to a recent report by the Atlantic Council, a US-based think tank. Chinese companies are involved in the construction of major power projects, such as the Mambila Hydropower Project in Nigeria and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in Ethiopia. Furthermore, Chinese companies have already secured deals to supply energy to more than 15 African countries, with a total capacity of over 10,000 MW.

In a race to spur development in the hitherto underdeveloped region, China is at the forefront of efforts to transform the energy landscape of the continent.