The frequency of power outages has been reduced – EEU

Over the past six months, the frequency of power outages has been reduced

The Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) has been providing reliable and quality electricity services in the first six months of the 2013 Ethiopian budget year.

The institution has been carrying out various precautionary and reconstruction activities to improve the service delivery. As a result, the frequency of power outages has been reduced.

Work underway to make the service delivery safer and more efficient is the Addis Ababa Distribution Reconstruction and Capacity Building Project, the 6 Cities Reconstruction and Capacity Building Project, and the Addis Ababa Transmission and Distribution Reconstruction and Capacity Building Project.

The states have been carrying out various reconstruction, pre-construction and emergency repairs, including on their own. As a result, the frequency of power outages across the country has been reduced.

In the first six months of the 2013 fiscal year, the average unpredictable dissipation frequency (SAIFI) and unplanned discontinued dissipation rates (SAIDI) decreased compared to the previous year.

One of the most common causes of power outages is the fault of the transformer. During the first six months, various changes were made to reduce transformer burns. However, about 703 transformers were burnt down in the first half of the year, but it has decreased by 119 compared to the first half of 2012.

Compared to 2012, the number of transformers burned in Harar, Dire Dawa, Afar, Oromia and Amhara has decreased compared to 2012; The number of transformers burning in Addis Ababa, SNNPR, Gambella and Benishangul-Gumz states has increased.

Overhaul of transformers, installation of transformers for overloaded transformers, balancing, proper maintenance of transformers, proper supply and use of necessary inputs are all activities that will help improve the service delivery and make it reliable.

It was also mentioned that when the 15/33 kV disconnection line was cut off, the institute was advised to procure inputs to shorten the planned power outage (SAIDI) using modern equipment to identify the fault line.