LocationsEthiopia’s Renewable Energy Journey
South-South Partnership to Turn Waste to Power
May 2, 2025
A waste-to-energy biogas plant, with a capacity of 300 cubic meters, was officially inaugurated today at Wolaita Sodo University in South Ethiopia Regional State. The facility, designed to process over 1,825 tons of organic waste annually, will provide clean electricity and cooking energy — marking a significant step forward in Ethiopia’s transition to renewable energy.
The biogas plant is part of the Biogas, Biomass, and Solar Trilateral Cooperation project, which brings together the Government of Ethiopia and the Government of China under the framework of South-South collaboration facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
State Minister Dr. Eng. Sultan Wali emphasized the national importance of expanding energy access: “Energy is the backbone of economic and social progress. Biogas offers a clean, renewable energy solution to Ethiopia’s energy challenges. This plant is a landmark achievement — the first of its kind in the country.”
Mr. Samuel Doe of UNDP acknolwedged the importance of south-south cooperation, noting that, "This is not charity. It’s shared learning, shared investment, and shared benefit. It shows how climate action can be inclusive, practical, and local. It supports our shared goals to reduce emissions, empower institutions, and build a climate-resilient future.”
Mr. Liu Xiaoguang of the Chinese Embassy highlighted the significance of international solidarity: “This project is both a technical achievement and a symbol of mutual learning. It shows how renewable energy can transform not only campuses but entire communities.”
The plant is expected to produce 87,600 kWh of electricity annually, helping to reduce fuelwood consumption and ease the burden on staff, particularly women, working in university kitchens. The facility will benefit more than 46,000 individuals, including students, faculty, and nearby rural communities
The biogas plant uses cow manure and food waste from the university’s cafeterias to generate:
Trilateral Cooperation
The facility is part of the Biogas, Biomass, and Solar Trilateral Cooperation Project, a multi-year, $2 million ($2,042,394.00) initiative stretching across Ethiopia’s Harari, Sidama, and South Ethiopia regions. It is jointly implemented by UNDP, China’s Ministry of Commerce, and Ethiopia’s energy ministry — with technical support from China Agricultural University and the Administrative Centre for China's Agenda 21.
Beyond Bricks and Pipes: Building Capacity
The project doesn’t stop at infrastructure. In 2023, the partners launched a Joint Research and Extension Centre at Wolaita Sodo University, aimed at fostering local innovation and long-term sustainability. More than 500 government officials and engineers have been trained so far. Women-led businesses have received financial support to develop their own energy ventures.
Dr Tekle Leza, the university’s vice president, sees the plant as part of a bigger transformation: “We aim to be a self-sufficient university. This project isn’t just reducing emissions — it’s enhancing research, teaching, and livelihoods.”
Solar Schools and Sustainable Farms
While Wolaita’s biogas plant grabs headlines, other parts of the country are seeing quieter progress. In Harari and Sidama, the same project has installed solar systems in rural schools, and a solar-powered irrigation system now supports 750 smallholder farmers — 40% of whom are women.
The combined impact is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 157,310.297 tCO2eq in rural communities and improve life for more than 50,000 people, many in off-grid communities.
The Road Ahead
Despite vast renewable potential — estimated at over 150,000 gigawatts — millions of Ethiopians still live without reliable access to electricity. Interventions like this one show that change is possible, but scaling up remains the next great challenge to be tackled through strengthened south-south partnerships.
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