Eastern Nile Power Trade Program Study

The present project is relative to the Eastern Nile Power Trade Programme Study. It is part of a coordinated Investment Program consisting of priority power generation and transmission interconnection projects with trans-boundary benefits. The study aims at providing a framework for coordinated planning of generation and transmission interconnection projects for Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan, thereby allowing selection of least cost projects with trans-boundary benefits for the three countries. A power trade strategy should create an enabling environment through harmonizing grid codes, establishing necessary institutions, control centers, communication networks, computing facilities, trading rules and settlement arrangements that are vital for power trade. The outcome of the Study, among others should include the Power Trade Strategy, Regional Investment Program and Memoranda of Understanding to be executed by the countries for implementing the trade strategy and investment program. The study should be carried out in two phases, namely: I) Cooperative Regional Assessment of Power Trade Opportunities; and II) Feasibility Study of the Power Interconnection involving Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan. The Cooperative Regional Assessment should distribute the costs and benefits of the regional projects between the countries and enable them implement the recommended projects. In addition, the feasibility study of the power interconnection project, which is to be prepared as part of the Study, represents a decisive step towards establishing an integrated power system and eventually a power pool for resources and electricity trade.