Official power cuts due to water shortages

Ethiopia imposed two day a week power cuts on Friday, which experts say could cost the economy US $200 million a year in lost output. The countrywide move, which follows months of daily rationing, is blamed on serious water shortages in Ethiopia’s hydroelectric dams because of the severe drought. The Ethiopian Economic Association (EEA) warned that the blackouts would have a catastrophic effect on the economy, estimating it would shave 3.4 percent off the GDP. Berahanu Nega, director of the EEA, blamed the power cuts on poor management of public services by the government. “There is no question of the fact that the government has failed to provide essential services to the community,” he told IRIN. “The problem we are facing now is not just electricity but a serious shortage of water in the capital city.” “We don’t know how long this is going to last but the disruption in this society is significant,” he said. He added that the economy was already expected to shrink this year by more than three percent due to a massive slump in agriculture because of the food crisis. According to the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCO), four dams across the country have been hit by serious water shortages. The Koka, Melka, Wakena and Tis Abbay power generation dams have seen water levels slump by more than six metres compared to previous years. The government decision comes after experts from the EEPCO, the Meteorological Services Agency and the Ministry of Water Resources said current volumes of water could not meet demand. Power cuts will take place on different days in separate parts of the capital and country. The blackout announcement, which was made on state television, means the power will be switched off between 6am and 10pm.