‘‘I hope, we can start working on establishing a competence centre on renewable energy in Arba Minch University. And with Ethiopian government supporting this kind of endeavors, we can definitely start one where we can think of harnessing the potential of hydro, solar and wind power with the required system in place,’’ said Vice-President for Research and Community Service, Dr Guchie Gulie.

Dr Guchie said this at the valedictory function of Wind Turbine seminar at Tourist Hotel on December 21. Assuring strong support of his office for the above mentioned proposed project, Dr Guchie, said, ‘‘My office would continue to support the proposed project and I urge students and staff members from engineering departments to put in their efforts to make it a reality.’’

The five-day workshop which started on 15th December at Metal Workshop, Main Campus, concluded on 19th December, was jointly organized by the Wind Empowerment-V3 Power, Sahay Solar Initiative and Arba Minch University.

Director of V3Power and Wind Empowerment, Mr Aran Eales, also see the potential in Arba Minch University, to start an institute on renewable energy i.e. hydro, solar and now wind sources for electricity. He was overwhelmed by the exemplary teamwork display by AMU students and some of the faculty members, who built wind turbine during the workshop.

On the occasion, Mr Aran and Dr Jon distributed certificate of participation to all those who participated in the workshop. The head of electrical engineering department, Mr Nathanael Chuta, moderated the concluding program.

The workshop was meant for few 5th year Mechanical and Electrical Engineering students and some of the faculty members. Mr Aran Eales and researcher from University of Sheffield, Mr Jon, were the resource persons.

Both resource persons in their theoretical and practical sessions covered the topics i.e. theory behind wind turbine, site selection and wind resource, tower design, electrical systems, market assessment and maintenance of the turbine.

When asked to what inspired them to conduct this workshop, Mr Aran said, ‘‘We run lots of courses in Europe and United Kingdom, because people want to learn practical skills. But in UK everyone is connected to the grid so there is small market. But, Ethiopia has tremendous potential as over 80% people are not connected to the national grid.’’

‘‘In Ethiopia, Rift Valley has sufficient wind resource likewise, South Kenya, and East Somalia too have required potential which is most suitable ground for wind power by installing turbines. And these kind of selective areas can be the best option to generate electricity in cheaper rate for rural areas,’’ he added.

Mr Aran, further opined, ‘‘Materials required to build wind turbine is adequately available in Ethiopia, in that case, money invested would stay in this country, thus making things easier. The (1.8 meter long) small turbine built in the workshop would be kept in AMU as the teaching model. And there is likelihood that AMU may incorporate course on wind power in near future, he added.

By Philips Joseph