Addis Ababa: The Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) announced that 1,382 rural towns and villages have gained electricity access as part of the nation's ongoing expansion efforts carried out over the past reform years. Speaking to ENA, EEU Communications Executive Melaku Taye noted that following the nationwide reform, significant progress has been made in enhancing electricity access throughout the country, particularly in rural towns and villages. According to Ethiopian News Agency, Melaku emphasized the tangible outcomes of these efforts, particularly in rural areas where electricity access was previously limited. He highlighted a significant increase in electricity customers, rising from 3.2 million to over 5 million in recent years, which he hailed as a major achievement. Despite this progress, Melaku acknowledged the need for improved electricity coverage, especially in remote areas beyond the national grid. He pointed to encouraging advancements through the deployment of solar energy systems for these o ff-grid communities. Melaku stated that the infrastructure that served for many years and the inconsistent maintenance have led to service disruptions and customer dissatisfaction. To address these issues, the EEU has initiated comprehensive network improvement and reconstruction projects in key urban centers, funded through internal revenue and development partner support. The first phase of these upgrades is complete in major cities like Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Adama, Mekelle, Bahir Dar, and Jimma, with additional works nearing completion in Wolayta Sodo, Harar, Shashemene, Debre Markos, Gondar, and Kombolcha. The completion of the ongoing upgrades will significantly enhance the reliability of electricity supply for customers nationwide, Melaku reiterated. He noted that once the network improvement and reconstruction works are fully operational, customers will experience a more reliable power supply. He also emphasized that the institution is implementing research-based solutions to improve service delive ry and increase customer satisfaction. Melaku further stated that a system has been established allowing customers to submit suggestions via a mobile application, encouraging them to actively participate and contribute to solutions by sharing their feedback.
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