Eritrea: Efforts to Expand the Supply and Use of Renewable Energy

The Ministry of Energy and Mines announced that it is working to expand the supply and use of renewable energy.

Noting that the Ministry has been working to improve household energy supplies and enhance the efficiency of household energy appliances, Mr. Tesfay Gebrehiwet, Director of Renewable Energy at the Ministry, said that training is being organized for those engaged in producing smokeless ovens and other household appliances.

Indicating that the Ministry of Agriculture’s initiative to introduce smokeless ovens in 2000 is one notable example of these efforts, Mr. Tesfay said that the number of beneficiaries using smokeless ovens has increased to about 200,000.

Mr. Tesfay also said that efforts to introduce and expand the use of renewable energy for household, agricultural and other purposes, including solar, wind, geothermal, green-hydrogen and bioenergy, are yielding encouraging results.

Regarding solar energy, Mr. Tesfay said that the 34 megawatts of solar power installed in Dekemhare, 2 megawatts installed around Asmara and 2.25 megawatts installed in Areza and Mai-Dima are notable examples.

Mr. Tesfay went on to say that theoretical and practical capacity-building training has been provided by foreign and national experts and will continue in earnest. He also called for increased public understanding of solar energy systems and their proper use.