Addis Ababa, July 27, 2026 (FMC) — The Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) has launched a 25-year national power distribution expansion and modernization master plan that will require an estimated 30.65 billion U.S. dollars in investment to upgrade the country’s electricity distribution system through 2049.
Unveiling the roadmap today, EEU Chief Executive Officer Getu Geremu said the plan is designed to address Ethiopia’s rapidly growing electricity demand while establishing a modern, efficient, and digitally enabled power distribution network.
He said the master plan provides a long-term framework for tackling existing network bottlenecks and meeting projected demand over the next quarter century as the country experiences sustained population growth, urbanization, industrial expansion, and increased adoption of electric mobility.
According to Getu, the study was carried out with financial support from the World Bank at a cost exceeding 4.7 million euros.
The CEO noted that the roadmap will accelerate the digital transformation of Ethiopia’s power distribution system, replacing outdated and inefficient operational practices with modern technologies that improve service reliability, operational efficiency, and overall network performance.
Under the master plan, Ethiopia’s peak electricity demand is projected to reach 39,327 megawatts by 2049. To meet the anticipated demand, the country plans to construct 128 new power substations while expanding and reinforcing the national electricity distribution network.
Getu added that successful implementation of the master plan will strengthen the country’s power distribution capacity and provide a reliable electricity supply to support Ethiopia’s long-term economic growth and structural transformation.