The Adama wind power project carries multiple firsts, is the first wind power project in Ethiopia, the first intergovernmental cooperation project between China and Africa in the field of new energy, the first wind farm put into operation in Ethiopia, the first overseas project constructed by China's preferential export buyer's credit, and the first key project during Ethiopia's first five-year plan period.

The total installed capacity of the Adama wind power project is 204MW, consisting of 136 wind turbines with a single unit capacity of 1.5MW. The first phase is 51MW, with a total installation of 34 1.5MW wind turbines, with a total investment of 117 million US dollars. It is constructed by China Hydropower Consulting Group, a subsidiary of China Electric Power Construction Group, through EPC general contracting. This project is not only the first new energy project supported by preferential buyer credit from the Export Import Bank of China, but also the first wind power project to go global completely in accordance with Chinese technology and standards.

On the basis of the successful construction of the Adama Wind Power Phase I project, in October 2012, China Hydropower Engineering Consulting Group formed a joint venture with China Overseas Construction Group to sign the Adama Phase II EPC contract with Ethiopian Power Company. The Phase II project is 153MW, consisting of 102 wind turbines with a single unit capacity of 1.5WM, with a contract amount of 345 million US dollars. China provides 85% of the two priority loans, and the Ethiopian government is responsible for 15% of the payment, The Export Import Bank of China will continue to provide financing support for the second phase of the Adama wind power project.

The Adama Phase I wind power project started construction in June 2011 and officially began commercial operation in September 2012. The Phase II wind power project started construction in June 2013 and achieved grid connected power generation in October 2014.

After the project is completed, the average equivalent full load hours on the grid are over 3100 hours, which can provide more than 630 million kWh of electricity to the Ethiopian power system on average each year. This has improved Ethiopia's power supply capacity in the short term. Calculated based on the substitute standard coal consumption of 340g/kWh, it saves about 180000 tons of standard coal consumption per year.

The Adama wind power project strongly supports Ethiopia's economic transformation and growth plan, providing a classic model for African countries to use Chinese technology and funds to develop new energy, and deeply spreading China's green and sustainable energy concept on the land of Africa.Editor/XingWentao