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

By Kieron Monks, CNN

Updated 1900 GMT (0300 HKT) January 3, 2017

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.