In a bid for energy independence, resource-scarce Djibouti will be getting its first wind farm.
The country’s energy minister, Ali Yacoub Mahmoud, and the vice-president of Shanghai Electric Group, Chen Shuyu, signed an agreement for the construction of a 60MW wind power installation in Djibouti on 23 June.
The project, whose feasibility study was done by Djibouti Electricity Authority, will be constructed in two phases of 30 MW each, Xinhua reported.
The project will also include the construction of two electric lines with a 230 KV capacity in northern Djibouti.
Djibouti is an oasis of business-friendly calm on the east African coast with harsh and insular Eritrea to the north and war-torn Somalia to the south.
Its position at the narrow entrance to the Red Sea makes it a natural maritime logistics hub, and it acts as port to fast-growing Ethiopia, its huge, landlocked neighbour to the west.
The minister said his country aims to be a regional and commercial hub.Â
"This new project is also in line with our national strategy of achieving energy independence, while also guaranteeing clean, cheap and accessible energy across the national territory," the minister said.
In 2013 Djibouti signed an agreement with Shanghai Electric for the construction of a power transmission line linking Djibouti and Ethiopia, the minister said.
Image: Tiny Djibouti is an oasis of business-friendly calm on the east African coast (Google Maps)
