Arba Minch University and the Christian Aid team visited Dingamo Pico-hydropower project which is under construction at Gamo Zone, Kamba Zuria Woreda with budget from Arba Minch University and Christian Aid, on June 13, 2023. Click here to see the pictures.
AMU Vice President for Research and Community Engagement Behailu Merdekios (Associate Professor) said the joint project between AMU and Christian Aid to electrify Dingamo with Pico-hydropower is in line with the SDGs, national green economy agenda, and has socioeconomic impacts to the society. He also noted that in addition to electrifying the community, the initiative will boost economic activity and enhance service delivery at the village's health and educational institutions.
Executive Director for Research Dr. Tesfaye Habtemariam remarked that frequent visits and supports from Christian Aid and the special commitment of AMU have played a pivotal role in the construction progress of the project to reach this level despite several pressing challenges; AMU is keenly dedicated and providing every support to complete it as per its time frame. The Executive Director also noted that along with this initiative AMU is conducting another grand research project of a 1.2 million ETB to survey other rivers for Pico-hydropower generation in Gamo and Gofa zones which demonstrates the desire to carry out similar projects in other areas.
Dr. Tolera Seda, Director for University Industry Linkage and Technology Transfer, said that the Pico-hydropower project undergoing construction at Dingamo, Kamba Zuria Woreda, is unique because it strongly signifies the cohesion of research, community engagement, and technology transfer which are the key pillars of the university.
The Project Manager and Renewable Energy Researcher, Mr Beyene Feye, giving an overview of the project, said, the project is expected to generate 15 KW of hydropower energy and mainly used to electrify more than 600 households and other small businesses in the village. Regarding the project progress, including the construction of small dam, 160M Canal, Power House, and Retaining Wall, the overall project accomplishment has reached 60 percent; the mapping out of electric distribution has also been fully completed, he explained.
He further added that the civil works of the project will be completed soon, and installation of electro-mechanical parts like the tribune, generator, electric load controller and others are the next concerns of the project. The manager assured that his team is planned to accomplish the project within the coming three months, but purchasing electro-mechanical apparatus and making it available to the site on time is mandatory.
Mr. Degfu Getachew, Climate Change Expert and Focal Person of the Project from Christian Aid, said that the visit is arranged to assess the progress of the project, identify challenges, and offer necessary support so that the project will complete in the right schedule. The visit also aims to document, communicate and advocate the implementation progress of the project; this will be helpful to increase reliability in search of more funds to scale up similar projects in other areas.
Christian Aid’s Communicator based in Nigeria expressing her excitement over the project's progress said that we are happy about the project progress which is a pilot for Christian Aid and has a real benefit to the society as a whole. The initiative demonstrates the use of climate-friendly renewable energy technology which needs to be advocated for the expansion of similar projects throughout Ethiopia and Africa, she adds.
Arba Minch University
The Center of Bright Future!
For more Information Follow us on:-
Website - https://www.amu.edu.et/
Telegram - https://t.me/arbaminch_university
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ArbaMinchUniversityCCD/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOO_nclhMo8M3r74OyPBlVA
Communication Affairs Directorate