$1.3 billion, 1000+km Ethiopia-Kenya green electricity grid adopts HVDC for transmissions (Intelligent CEO)

The electricity highway between Ethiopia and Kenya, officially opened in 2023 after more than 10 years of planning and construction, is redefining energy connectivity in East Africa. It is more than a piece of infrastructure, it is an economic and environmental entity, connecting not just power grids but nations and populations. 

The total cost of US$1.26 billion was funded partly by US$338 million from the African Development Bank. The World Bank, the Agence française de développement, and the governments of the two countries concerned also contributed. 

This vision of a shared energy future runs for 1,045 km between Wolayta-Sodo in Ethiopia and Suswa in Kenya. It enables both countries to pool resources, hydroelectricity from Ethiopia, and geothermal and wind power from Kenya. Regional Connectivity lies at the heart of the project.