China National Electric Engineering Co. Ltd. (CNEEC), Ethiopia Electric Power (EEP), and GIZ signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on June 26, 2024, at CNEEC’s Beijing office. The signing of the JDI marks the launch of the triangular cooperation project, Making the Reppie Waste-to-Energy Plant a Sustainable Success by Fostering Local Capacities and Skills, and highlights the shared commitment of Ethiopia, China, and Germany to sustainable development.
The JDI was signed by key representatives from each organization: Mr. LI Zhigang, Vice President of CNEEC; Mr. Senay Gebregiorgis Gebresillassie, Director Cluster 3 Operation and Maintenance of EEP; and Dr. Jochen Weikert, Cluster Co-Head of China in the World Cluster, GIZ East Asia. Other attendees included Mr. ZHANG Sheng, General Manager of No. 3 Regional Dept, CNEEC; Ms. CAO Rui, Commercial Manager, No. 3 Regional Dept (China), CNEEC; Mr. Abdu Yimam, Manager, Generation Operation Technical Support, EEP.
During the signing meeting, the participants discussed the extensive preparatory efforts and collaborative spirit that led to this milestone. They acknowledged the project’s potential to address energy and waste management challenges in Ethiopia and its potential as a model for future initiatives.
The project will combine resources and expertise from Germany, China, and Ethiopia ensure the sustainable operation of the Reppie Waste-to-Energy Plant, the first of its kind in Africa by building local capacities and skills and make the Reppie Plant a successful example of technology transfer to Ethiopia. It is also the first triangular cooperation project partnering with Chinese private sector in launched under the umbrella of the Sino-German Center for Sustainable Development.
The success of the project is expected to have a positive impact on Ethiopia’s energy landscape and set a precedent for sustainable development across the continent. It enjoys the support from various stakeholders, including the governments of Ethiopia, China, and Germany, as well as the China International Contractors Association (CHINCA) and China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC). The involvement of these diverse entities demonstrated a united effort to address global challenges through practical steps.
This project is also the first triangular project under the Mechanism for International Sustainable Infrastructure Promotion (MISIP) since its launch in 2022, and an initial result of the strategic partnership between GIZ and CHINCA.
