Yisehak Seboka of the Ethiopian ministry of energy and water said in October the plan involves the installation of eight large hydro power schemes with a total capacity of 8,737MW.

He said the scheme includes development of seven wind farms with capacity of 866MW and a 70MW geothermal plant before the end of 2015.

“By 2030, Ethiopia aims to reach 37,000 MW, increase its grid access from 41% to 75% and double grid connections from 2 million to 4 million households by the end of 2015.”

Ethiopia hopes to start power generation from the $3.7-billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam hydropower project in 2015. It has a capacity of 6,000MW.

In South Africa, a major renewable energy build is underway. A total of 64 projects have been awarded to private developers who have committed an estimated $14 billion to generate 3,922MW.

In East Africa, additional geothermal power capacities are expected especially in Kenya and Ethiopia. In Kenya around 250MW of geothermal power has been installed and a further 280MW is under development. More than 40 wells a year currently are being drilled in the country’s Rift Valley with a target to develop more than 5000MW by 2030.

Some of the renewable energy projects Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, and Tanzania are expected to make progress in 2015 under President Obama’s Power Africa which targets generation of an additional 10,000MW of clean energy and enable at least 20 million households and commercial entities access electricity.

So far transactions brought to financial close under Power Africa will generate 2,792 MW with 25% of the total goal reached in the first year and more than 5,000MW in the process.

“As of June 30, 2014 private sector partners have pledged to develop over 14,000 MW of critical generation projects in the Power Africa focus countries, resulting in an estimated $18 billion in investment in these countries’ power sectors,” says USAID.

At least two of the world’s largest coal-fired projects are nearing completion in South and could boost the country’s grid by an additional 9,600MW. Both Medupi and Kusile power projects are expected to be commissioned in 2015 and 2020 respectively.