The first waste processing plant in Africa

The 25-megawatt Reppie power plant will help meet 30% of electricity demand in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa.

The first waste-generating power facility in Africa officially went into operation in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa.The Reppie power plant will help convert 1,400 tons of solid waste a day into energy, equivalent to 80% of the city's waste, according to AFP.

Reppie power plant officially went into operation in Ethiopia.Photo: CGTN).

The plant was built next to a huge landfill called Koshe , the main waste collection site of about 4 million people in the capital Addis Ababa for over 40 years. The project, developed by the Ethiopian Government, Cambridge Industries Group and China National Electric Engineering Company (CNEEC), has a construction cost of up to USD 118 million.

Solid waste is treated and burned inside the combustion chambers of the plant. Heat generated from incineration will be used to boil water. The steam produced rotates the generators' turbines, helping to generate energy. With an estimated capacity of 25 megawatts a day, the plant can meet 30% of the electricity demand of the people of Addis Ababa capital.

Koshe landfill on the outskirts of Addis Ababa city.(Photo: AFP).

In addition, Reppie power plant is also equipped with waste treatment technology of the European Union (EU), which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions during incineration.

According to Prime Minister Teshome, in recent years, Ethiopia has invested extensively in various types of electricity production based on clean, renewable energy sources such as hydropower, geothermal electricity, wind power and now biomass electricity. . The Reppie project is part of the Ethiopian Government's "sustainable green economy" strategy.