Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) reported a robust 26.8 billion birr in revenue from electricity sales during the first quarter of the current fiscal year, exceeding its target by 7.6%, signaling strong growth in both domestic and regional power markets.
Andualem Siae, Executive Officer of EEP’s Transmission Business Sector, highlighted that the utility sold 7.88 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity, generating 10.1 billion birr in local revenue and an additional $117.1 million in foreign exchange from regional exports. This represents a dramatic 96% year-on-year revenue increase, with sales volume up 47% compared to the same period last year, underscoring a rapid expansion of Ethiopia’s power sector.
Domestic consumption continues to dominate, accounting for 93% of electricity sales. Within this market, EEP serves 53.6% of the total demand, with industrial and technology sectors alone consuming 39.2%, reflecting the country’s accelerating electrification and industrialization drive.
EEP’s regional exports also contributed meaningfully to its revenue. Kenya and Tanzania each received 4.6% of total electricity sales, while Djibouti accounted for 2.2%, collectively representing 6.8% of the company’s output. These figures underscore Ethiopia’s growing role as a regional energy hub, leveraging the country’s abundant renewable resources to supply neighboring markets.
The revenue surge aligns with recent milestones in Ethiopia’s energy infrastructure, including the operationalization of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which has significantly boosted hydropower capacity. Investments in geothermal, wind, and solar projects are also bearing fruit, enabling EEP to diversify its energy mix and strengthen the country’s energy security.
Analysts note that sustained domestic demand growth, coupled with expanding regional electricity exports, positions EEP not only as a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s development ambitions but also as a strategic player in East Africa’s power market.
