Addis Ababa, July 26, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s power generation capacity has surpassed 9,730 megawatts from diverse energy sources, marking continued progress in the country’s efforts to expand electricity supply, strengthen energy access and support its broader development ambitions.
Expounding on the country’s annual performance, Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa said the government is intensifying efforts to further increase electricity generation from various sources while expanding access to reliable power for both urban and rural communities.
The minister said electricity generation capacity from different sources increased from 7,910 MW to more than 9,730 MW during the 2018 Ethiopian fiscal year, reflecting Ethiopia’s continued investment in energy infrastructure and diversification of its power mix.
According to the minister, hydropower remains the dominant source of electricity generation, contributing 9,201 MW, while wind power accounts for 504 MW. Solar energy contributes 15.32 MW, energy generated from solid waste provides 25 MW, and geothermal sources contribute 7 MW.
He noted that efforts are also underway to further expand electricity access by strengthening the national grid and promoting off-grid solutions to reach more communities.
During the fiscal year, 490,000 new customers were connected to the national grid, bringing the total number of grid-connected electricity users to 5.82 million.
In addition, 8,910 new customers gained access to off-grid electricity solutions, increasing the number of off-grid electricity users to 18,073.
The minister said Ethiopia had planned to raise electricity access from 52 percent to 54 percent during the fiscal year and achieved an access rate of 53 percent.
The continued expansion of Ethiopia’s power generation capacity forms part of the country’s wider strategy to develop a diversified and sustainable energy sector, leveraging its vast renewable resources to support industrial growth, economic transformation and improved living standards.