Addressing the Ethio- Kenya Joint consultative Meeting discussing issues of Gibe III Project that opened in Addis Ababa on Wednesday, Kenyan Director of Water Resource and Delegation Head John Rao Nyaoro said his government would give unwavering support for the sustainability and feasibility of the project.

Opening the meeting, Water Resource Minister Asfaw Dingamo, said Gibe III project, which is estimated to cost 1.4 billion euros, has a positive impact on the environment.

He said Ethiopia and Kenya are age long sister countries. Their relationships ranging from national security and trade to culture and the management of shared resources.

The Minister said the project will ensure clean renewable power supply both for Ethiopia and Kenya while enabling to mitigate drought.

Asfaw further said the project would also enable to control flood, regulated flow and environmental service and adaptation to climate change, among others.

Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) General Manager Mihret Debebe, on his part said power plays indispensable role in ensuring sustainable and meaningful economic development in the region.

He said the Government of Ethiopia is committed to develop the country’s energy capacity by making use of its huge water resources potential.

Mihret said Ethiopia would significantly contribute to the regional economic integration by exporting power from the project through regional and Sub-regional interconnection systems.

Kenyan Director of Water Resource and Delegation Head, John Rao Nyaoro said on his part that the project will strengthen the economic and social ties between the two countries.

Nyaoro said the government of Kenya would give unwavering support for the sustainability and feasibility of the project.

He also appreciated the commitment of the Ethiopian Government to create an economic linkage among the nations.

“We learned that the project will be environment friendly and Kenya welcomes Ethiopia’s Multi-billion dollar Hydroelectric Project”, Nyaoro added.

Kenyan Ambassador to Ethiopia, Franklin Esipila on his part said both Ethiopia and Kenya would benefit from Gibe III project. The project would also further strengthen the economic ties between the two countries.

Gibe III hydroelectric power project has the capacity of 1870 mega watt.

The construction has commenced as of July 2006 following a contract agreement signed between EEPCo and Salini Construttori, an Italian construction firm.

The project, whose one-third of its construction has already been completed, will start service by July 2013.

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