East Africa Joins Hands to Share Electricity Through New Power Grid Plan

Post by : Priya

 Photo:Reuters

East Africa is taking a bold step forward in its quest for energy security and economic development. Thirteen countries in the region have come together under the East African Power Pool (EAPP) to build a unified electricity network that will allow them to share power, support each other during energy shortages, and boost economic ties. This initiative has the potential to transform the region’s future — bringing reliable electricity to millions, cutting costs, and opening the doors to new investments and opportunities.

The vision of regional electricity cooperation isn’t new, but recent progress under the EAPP is finally turning that dream into reality. By expanding and modernizing power lines across borders, and creating policies for electricity trade, the East African region is laying the foundation for a more connected and resilient future.

What Is the East African Power Pool?

The East African Power Pool (EAPP) is a formal agreement between countries in Eastern Africa to create an interconnected electricity network. It was launched in 2005 with the support of the African Union and is now made up of 13 countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Sudan, South Sudan, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Egypt, and others.

The main goal of the EAPP is simple but powerful: to create a single regional power market where electricity can be shared and traded between countries. This would allow nations with surplus electricity to sell to others with shortages, reduce overall electricity costs, and improve reliability.

Since its formation, the EAPP has been working on building cross-border electricity transmission lines, creating market rules, and helping member countries plan and coordinate their electricity needs.

Why Is This Initiative So Important?

In many East African countries, electricity is still a luxury, not a basic right. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), over 600 million people across Africa live without access to electricity — and a large portion of them are in the East African region.

Even where power is available, it is often unreliable. Frequent blackouts, high costs, and limited coverage make life difficult for families, schools, hospitals, and businesses.

The EAPP initiative could help solve many of these problems. Here’s how:

1. Improved Reliability

By linking national power grids, countries can support each other during times of peak demand or supply shortages. For instance, if Kenya experiences a drought and cannot generate enough hydropower, it can import electricity from Ethiopia or Uganda.

2. Lower Costs

Not every country needs to build its own power plants. Through the EAPP, they can buy cheaper electricity from neighbors, avoiding the high costs of new infrastructure.

3. Faster Development

Electricity is the backbone of modern development. When people have reliable and affordable power, they can start businesses, study at night, run machines, and improve their lives.

4. Environmental Benefits

Some countries rely heavily on dirty fuels like diesel to generate electricity. Through the power pool, they can access cleaner energy — like hydropower or solar — from neighbors who have more of it.

Key Countries and Their Role

Each country in the EAPP plays a unique role, depending on its energy resources and needs. Here’s a closer look at some of the major players:

Ethiopia: The Hydropower Giant

Ethiopia has built several large dams, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which produces thousands of megawatts of clean electricity. With more power than it needs, Ethiopia is already exporting electricity to Kenya, Sudan, and Djibouti — and has plans to expand this trade further.

Kenya: The Regional Connector

Kenya is a leader in geothermal energy and has built a strong transmission network. It serves as a central point in the EAPP, connecting electricity flows from Ethiopia to other southern and central African countries.

Uganda and Rwanda: Fast-Growing Markets

These countries are rapidly developing and need more power to keep up with rising demand. They’re also investing in renewable energy and working on grid upgrades to better integrate with the EAPP.

South Sudan: Rebuilding and Connecting

South Sudan, one of the newest countries in the world, is looking to rebuild its energy sector after years of conflict. Joining the EAPP is a key part of its development strategy.

Major Projects Underway

The success of the EAPP depends on the physical infrastructure that links countries together. Several key projects are in progress or have already been completed:

• Ethiopia–Kenya Transmission Line: A 500 kV high-voltage line stretching over 1,000 kilometers. It was completed in 2022 and is now delivering electricity from Ethiopia to Kenya.

• Kenya–Tanzania Interconnector: A planned line to allow power trade between East and Southern Africa.

• Rwanda–Uganda Line: Expected to help balance power supply in central East Africa.

• South Sudan–Ethiopia Line: Still in early planning stages but expected to be vital for South Sudan’s recovery.

More than 16 regional transmission projects are now at different stages of development, supported by funding from international partners like the World Bank, African Development Bank, and the European Union.

Toward a Regional Power Market

Beyond just building power lines, the EAPP is working to create a fully functioning regional electricity market. This would allow countries not only to share power but to trade it on a daily basis through a regional power exchange.

To do this, countries need to:

• Agree on rules for electricity pricing and payments.

• Share real-time data on electricity demand and supply.

• Develop systems to manage grid stability and avoid outages.

The EAPP secretariat, based in Addis Ababa, is working closely with energy ministries, regulators, and utilities to design this market. Some small-scale trading has already started, and full market operations are expected within the next two years.

Challenges on the Path Ahead

While the goals of the EAPP are ambitious and inspiring, there are real challenges to overcome:

1. Financing

Building transmission lines and upgrading grids is expensive. Although international donors are helping, local governments still need to commit funding and attract private investment.

2. Political Will

Electricity trade requires strong trust and cooperation between countries. Political disagreements, border conflicts, or policy changes can delay progress.

3. Technical Issues

Not all national grids are strong or modern enough to handle regional trade. Upgrades in control systems, safety protocols, and staff training are needed.

4. Regulation

Each country has its own laws and energy rules. Harmonizing them takes time and effort.

Despite these issues, progress has been steady. The completion of the Ethiopia–Kenya line was a major milestone, showing that cooperation is possible — and beneficial for all.

East African Power Pool