Riders on the storm: Ethiopia bids to become wind capital of Africa

By Kieron Monks, CNN

Updated 1900 GMT (0300 HKT) January 3, 2017

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

The turbine of Ashegoda wind farm in Northern Ethiopia, which was the largest wind farm in sub-Saharan Africa when it was inaugurated in 2013. The $300 million facility represents a major step forward in Ethiopia's plans to become a renewable energy powerhouse.

Photos: Air power

New powerhouse – The turbine of Ashegoda wind farm in Northern Ethiopia, which was the largest wind farm in sub-Saharan Africa when it was inaugurated in 2013. The $300 million facility represents a major step forward in Ethiopia's plans to become a renewable energy powerhouse.

Hide Caption

1 of 8

Just a quarter of Ethiopia's population had access to electricity in 2013, but the government aims to reach 90% coverage by 2020. Wind power is key to this ambition. According to the East African state's Growth and Transformation Plan II, wind output will rise from 324 MW to 5,200 MW in the next four years.

Photos: Air power

Power to the people – Just a quarter of Ethiopia's population had access to electricity in 2013, but the government aims to reach 90% coverage by 2020. Wind power is key to this ambition. According to the East African state's Growth and Transformation Plan II, wind output will rise from 324 MW to 5,200 MW in the next four years.

Hide Caption

2 of 8

Ethiopia's largest wind farm is now the Adama II facility, with a capacity of 153 MW, but the government plans to inaugurate at least eight farms by 2020.

Photos: Air power

Transforming the landscape – Ethiopia's largest wind farm is now the Adama II facility, with a capacity of 153 MW, but the government plans to inaugurate at least eight farms by 2020.

Hide Caption

3 of 8

Ethiopia is also committing resources to developing other forms of renewable energy. The majority of its energy comes from hydropower, such as the recently inaugurated Gibe III dam in the Omo Valley, with a capacity of over 1.8 gigawatts (GW). <br /><br />This will soon be added to by the Grand Renaissance Dam, which will be the largest dam in Africa, with capacity of 6 GW.

Photos: Air power

New elements – Ethiopia is also committing resources to developing other forms of renewable energy. The majority of its energy comes from hydropower, such as the recently inaugurated Gibe III dam in the Omo Valley, with a capacity of over 1.8 gigawatts (GW).

This will soon be added to by the Grand Renaissance Dam, which will be the largest dam in Africa, with capacity of 6 GW.

Hide Caption

4 of 8

Several other African states are investing heavily in wind power and rival Ethiopia's prowess in the field. Morocco is a major player, and the Tarfaya wind farm is the largest capacity in Africa at around 300 MW.

Photos: Air power

Rival powers – Several other African states are investing heavily in wind power and rival Ethiopia's prowess in the field. Morocco is a major player, and the Tarfaya wind farm is the largest capacity in Africa at around 300 MW.

Hide Caption

5 of 8

South Africa also boasts abundant wind resources such as the 100 MW Sere wind farm in the Western Cape province, and the sector is expanding rapidly.

Photos: Air power

Rapid growth – South Africa also boasts abundant wind resources such as the 100 MW Sere wind farm in the Western Cape province, and the sector is expanding rapidly.

Hide Caption

6 of 8

Street lamps powered by wind and solar energy line the side of a road close to the Kenyan capital Nairobi. Kenya is making a priority of wind, notably through the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project that will be the largest in Africa with a capacity of 310 MW.

Photos: Air power

New dawn – Street lamps powered by wind and solar energy line the side of a road close to the Kenyan capital Nairobi. Kenya is making a priority of wind, notably through the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project that will be the largest in Africa with a capacity of 310 MW.