IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i18p10381-d637607.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Opportunities and Challenges of Renewable Energy Production in Ethiopia

Author

Listed:
  • Girum Ayalneh Tiruye

    (Materials Science Program, Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 1176, Ethiopia)

  • Abreham Tesfaye Besha

    (Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Jigjiga University, Jigjiga P.O. Box 1020, Ethiopia)

  • Yedilfana Setarge Mekonnen

    (Center for Environmental Science, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 1176, Ethiopia)

  • Natei Ermias Benti

    (Center for Environmental Science, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 1176, Ethiopia
    Current Address: Department of Physics, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo P.O. Box 138, Ethiopia.)

  • Gebrehiwet Abrham Gebreslase

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, Mekelle Institute of Technology-Mekelle University (MIT-MU), Mekelle P.O. Box. 1632, Ethiopia
    Instituto de Carboquímica, ICB-CSIC, C/Miguel Luesma Castán, 4, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Ramato Ashu Tufa

    (Department of Energy Conversion and Storage, Technical University of Denmark, Building 310, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark)

Abstract

Ethiopia is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world despite immense challenges towards access to sustainable energy supplies and modern energy technologies. The country is undertaking great effort towards the development of renewable energy technologies and green legacy. However, the largest share of energy consumption (≈87%) in Ethiopia is dominated by traditional fuels (charcoal, fuel wood, dung cakes, and agricultural residues) which pose various health and environmental risks. The country has an enormous amount of renewable energy potentials (e.g., solar, hydro, wind and geothermal), but only 5% of its full hydropower potential is exploited and others are not fully harvested or not well developed to date. This review paper provides a comprehensive assessment on renewable energy availability, potential, opportunity, and challenges in Ethiopia. We believe the information provided in this review will enlighten the current and future prospects of renewable energy deployment in Ethiopia.

Suggested Citation

  • Girum Ayalneh Tiruye & Abreham Tesfaye Besha & Yedilfana Setarge Mekonnen & Natei Ermias Benti & Gebrehiwet Abrham Gebreslase & Ramato Ashu Tufa, 2021. "Opportunities and Challenges of Renewable Energy Production in Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-25, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:18:p:10381-:d:637607
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/18/10381/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/18/10381/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mengistu, M.G. & Simane, B. & Eshete, G. & Workneh, T.S., 2015. "A review on biogas technology and its contributions to sustainable rural livelihood in Ethiopia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 306-316.
    2. Asress, Mulugeta Biadgo & Simonovic, Aleksandar & Komarov, Dragan & Stupar, Slobodan, 2013. "Wind energy resource development in Ethiopia as an alternative energy future beyond the dominant hydropower," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 366-378.
    3. Alvarez-Silva, O.A. & Osorio, A.F. & Winter, C., 2016. "Practical global salinity gradient energy potential," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 1387-1395.
    4. Negash, Martha & Riera, Olivia, 2014. "Biodiesel value chain and access to energy in Ethiopia: Policies and business prospects," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 975-985.
    5. Bekele, Getachew & Palm, Björn, 2010. "Feasibility study for a standalone solar-wind-based hybrid energy system for application in Ethiopia," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(2), pages 487-495, February.
    6. Njoh, Ambe J., 2021. "A systematic review of environmental determinants of renewable energy performance in Ethiopia: A PESTECH analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    7. Kebede, Kassahun Y. & Mitsufuji, Toshio, 2017. "Technological innovation system building for diffusion of renewable energy technology: A case of solar PV systems in Ethiopia," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 242-253.
    8. Gebreslassie, Mulualem G., 2021. "Development and manufacturing of solar and wind energy technologies in Ethiopia: Challenges and policy implications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 107-118.
    9. Tufa, Ramato Ashu & Pawlowski, Sylwin & Veerman, Joost & Bouzek, Karel & Fontananova, Enrica & di Profio, Gianluca & Velizarov, Svetlozar & Goulão Crespo, João & Nijmeijer, Kitty & Curcio, Efrem, 2018. "Progress and prospects in reverse electrodialysis for salinity gradient energy conversion and storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C), pages 290-331.
    10. Berhanu, Mesfin & Jabasingh, S. Anuradha & Kifile, Zebene, 2017. "Expanding sustenance in Ethiopia based on renewable energy resources – A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 1035-1045.
    11. Adams, Samuel & Klobodu, Edem Kwame Mensah & Apio, Alfred, 2018. "Renewable and non-renewable energy, regime type and economic growth," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 755-767.
    12. Kiplagat, J.K. & Wang, R.Z. & Li, T.X., 2011. "Renewable energy in Kenya: Resource potential and status of exploitation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(6), pages 2960-2973, August.
    13. Mondal, Md Alam Hossain & Bryan, Elizabeth & Ringler, Claudia & Mekonnen, Dawit & Rosegrant, Mark, 2018. "Ethiopian energy status and demand scenarios: Prospects to improve energy efficiency and mitigate GHG emissions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 161-172.
    14. Kaygusuz, Kamil, 2012. "Energy for sustainable development: A case of developing countries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(2), pages 1116-1126.
    15. Mugisha, Joshua & Ratemo, Mike Arasa & Bunani Keza, Bienvenu Christian & Kahveci, Hayriye, 2021. "Assessing the opportunities and challenges facing the development of off-grid solar systems in Eastern Africa: The cases of Kenya, Ethiopia, and Rwanda," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    16. Abreham Tesfaye Besha & Misgina Tilahun Tsehaye & Girum Ayalneh Tiruye & Abaynesh Yihdego Gebreyohannes & Aymere Awoke & Ramato Ashu Tufa, 2020. "Deployable Membrane-Based Energy Technologies: the Ethiopian Prospect," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-33, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Marcin Landrat & Mamo T. Abawalo & Krzysztof Pikoń & Roman Turczyn, 2022. "Bio-Oil Derived from Teff Husk via Slow Pyrolysis Process in Fixed Bed Reactor and Its Characterization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Grace B. Villamor, 2023. "Gender and Water-Energy-Food Nexus in the Rural Highlands of Ethiopia: Where Are the Trade-Offs?," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-20, February.
    3. Selamawit Haftu Gebresellase & Zhiyong Wu & Huating Xu & Wada Idris Muhammad, 2023. "Scenario-Based LULC Dynamics Projection Using the CA–Markov Model on Upper Awash Basin (UAB), Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-27, January.
    4. Natei Ermias Benti & Mesfin Diro Chaka & Addisu Gezahegn Semie, 2023. "Forecasting Renewable Energy Generation with Machine Learning and Deep Learning: Current Advances and Future Prospects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-33, April.
    5. Ejigu Tefera Habtemariam & Kula Kekeba & María Martínez-Ballesteros & Francisco Martínez-Álvarez, 2023. "A Bayesian Optimization-Based LSTM Model for Wind Power Forecasting in the Adama District, Ethiopia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-22, February.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Kuno, Amanuel Kachiko & Begna, Nafbek & Mebratu, Fisaha, 2023. "A feasibility analysis of PV-based off-grid rural electrification for a pastoral settlement in Ethiopia," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    2. Gebrehiwot, Kiflom & Mondal, Md. Alam Hossain & Ringler, Claudia & Gebremeskel, Abiti Getaneh, 2019. "Optimization and cost-benefit assessment of hybrid power systems for off-grid rural electrification in Ethiopia," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 234-246.
    3. Abreham Tesfaye Besha & Misgina Tilahun Tsehaye & Girum Ayalneh Tiruye & Abaynesh Yihdego Gebreyohannes & Aymere Awoke & Ramato Ashu Tufa, 2020. "Deployable Membrane-Based Energy Technologies: the Ethiopian Prospect," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-33, October.
    4. Ghaem Sigarchian, Sara & Paleta, Rita & Malmquist, Anders & Pina, André, 2015. "Feasibility study of using a biogas engine as backup in a decentralized hybrid (PV/wind/battery) power generation system – Case study Kenya," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(P2), pages 1830-1841.
    5. Peng, Valerie & Slocum, Alexander, 2020. "Endemic Water and Storm Trash to energy via in-situ processing," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    6. Lee, Yujin & Liao, Chuan, 2024. "Upholding household agency in climate mitigation and socio-technical energy transition in Ethiopia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    7. Berhanu, Mesfin & Jabasingh, S. Anuradha & Kifile, Zebene, 2017. "Expanding sustenance in Ethiopia based on renewable energy resources – A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 1035-1045.
    8. Tucho, Gudina Terefe & Weesie, Peter D.M. & Nonhebel, Sanderine, 2014. "Assessment of renewable energy resources potential for large scale and standalone applications in Ethiopia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 422-431.
    9. Ioannis Pappis & Andreas Sahlberg & Tewodros Walle & Oliver Broad & Elusiyan Eludoyin & Mark Howells & Will Usher, 2021. "Influence of Electrification Pathways in the Electricity Sector of Ethiopia—Policy Implications Linking Spatial Electrification Analysis and Medium to Long-Term Energy Planning," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-36, February.
    10. Dumisani Chirambo, 2014. "The Climate Finance and Energy Investment Dilemma in Africa," Journal of Developing Societies, , vol. 30(4), pages 415-440, December.
    11. Gabisa, Elias W. & Gheewala, Shabbir H., 2020. "Can substitution of imported gasoline by locally produced molasses ethanol in Ethiopia be sustainable? An eco-efficiency assessment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    12. Trotter, Philipp A. & McManus, Marcelle C. & Maconachie, Roy, 2017. "Electricity planning and implementation in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 1189-1209.
    13. Grabher, Harald F. & Erb, Karlheinz & Singh, Simron & Haberl, Helmut, 2024. "Household energy systems based on biomass: Tracing material flows from source to service in rural Ethiopia," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    14. Karanja, Alice & Gasparatos, Alexandros, 2019. "Adoption and impacts of clean bioenergy cookstoves in Kenya," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 285-306.
    15. Milad Shadman & Corbiniano Silva & Daiane Faller & Zhijia Wu & Luiz Paulo de Freitas Assad & Luiz Landau & Carlos Levi & Segen F. Estefen, 2019. "Ocean Renewable Energy Potential, Technology, and Deployments: A Case Study of Brazil," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-37, September.
    16. Jiao, Yanmei & Yang, Chun & Zhang, Wenyao & Wang, Qiuwang & Zhao, Cunlu, 2024. "A review on direct osmotic power generation: Mechanism and membranes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    17. Ewunie, Gebresilassie Asnake & Morken, John & Lekang, Odd Ivar & Yigezu, Zerihun Demrew, 2021. "Factors affecting the potential of Jatropha curcas for sustainable biodiesel production: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    18. Mondal, Md. Alam Hossain & Bryan, Elizabeth & Ringler, Claudia & Rosegrant, Mark, 2017. "Ethiopian power sector development: Renewable based universal electricity access and export strategies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 11-20.
    19. De Angelis, Paolo & Tuninetti, Marta & Bergamasco, Luca & Calianno, Luca & Asinari, Pietro & Laio, Francesco & Fasano, Matteo, 2021. "Data-driven appraisal of renewable energy potentials for sustainable freshwater production in Africa," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    20. Karatayev, Marat & Clarke, Michèle L., 2016. "A review of current energy systems and green energy potential in Kazakhstan," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 491-504.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:18:p:10381-:d:637607. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.