Addis Ababa: Basin development and greening are being carried out on a large scale so that power generating dams could be used for long period without being filled with silt, according to the Water and Energy Minister.

Ethiopia has been carrying out the activities in order to benefit neighboring countries beyond itself, he added.

Koka to Koisha, Tekeze, Melka Wakena, Gibe, and the Grand Renaissance Dam are among the renewable energy sources in the development of the sector.

Water and Energy Minister, Habtamu Itefa told ENA that the integrated watersheds and green development have multifaceted importance.

In addition to protecting natural resources and the environment from climate change, he said the development activities have a pivotal role in protecting power generation dams from siltation.

The minister elaborated that sustainable protection works are being carried out to prevent soil erosion, especially power generation dams that face the problem of silt filling.

Therefore, ‘basin development and gre
ening work are being done on a large scale in the areas where the dams are located in order to ensure that power generation dams are used for long periods of time without being filled with silt,’ Habtamu stressed.

Moreover, he pointed out that early identification of areas through Geographical Information Systems has been done in coordination with higher education institutions and relevant stakeholders for basin development activities.

The basin and green development activities have been carried out consistently and with the involvement of communities.

According to the minister, Ethiopia is also working to make the power generating dams a tourist attraction.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency