President Taye Urges Global Shift from Renewable Generation to Electricity Delivery

Addis ababa: Ethiopia's President Taye Atske Selassie called for a fundamental shift in the global renewable-energy agenda-from simply expanding power generation to building the grids, storage, financing, and productive systems needed to turn clean electricity into economic transformation. Addressing the 'Delivering Electrify Now' High-Level Leaders Dialogue of the Global Renewables Summit in New York, President Taye emphasized the need for stronger international support for countries with abundant renewable resources to convert their energy potential into reliable electricity access, industrial growth, and inclusive prosperity.According to Ethiopian News Agency, President Taye stressed that "generation without grids, storage, and robust utility capacity cannot drive economic transformation," highlighting the necessity for international financing to support the entire electricity value chain-from generation and transmission to distribution, storage, and last-mile connections. The Global Renewables Summit, h eld during Climate Week NYC alongside the UN General Assembly, is gathering political leaders, businesses, investors, and international institutions to accelerate renewable-powered electrification and tackle the infrastructure and investment barriers slowing the energy transition.President Taye highlighted Ethiopia's substantial renewable-energy potential, with more than 95 percent of its installed generation capacity coming from renewable sources. He pointed to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and other investments as crucial foundations for expanding electricity access and powering the country's industrialization. The President outlined three priorities for Ethiopia: expanding and diversifying renewable generation with installed capacity targeted to reach up to 14,000 MW by 2030, using clean electricity to enhance industrial competitiveness, and implementing macroeconomic and energy-sector reforms to attract private investment.Finance, the President emphasized, remains the critical link betwee n renewable-energy potential and actual development. He called for more bankable projects supported by public resources and international partners, including the World Bank, African Development Bank, and the European Union through Global Gateway. Special attention, he noted, should be given to transmission infrastructure, substations, grid reinforcement, reconductoring, and last-mile connections.President Taye cited Ethiopia's experience with financing the GERD through domestic resources and public mobilization as an example of national ownership and commitment. However, he also stressed the importance of international financial cooperation for developing countries aiming to build modern, reliable, and interconnected electricity systems. He expressed appreciation for international support to Ethiopia's power sector, including the European Union's RISED programme and assistance from the World Bank and African Development Bank in modernizing electricity infrastructure.The President warned that the global en ergy transition cannot achieve its full potential if renewable investment remains concentrated in a few wealthy regions. For developing countries, he said, the ambition must extend beyond generating renewable power: from energy potential to electricity access, from access to productive use, and from productive use to industrialization and job creation. As Ethiopia prepares to host COP32 in Addis Ababa in 2027, President Taye affirmed the country's commitment to ensuring global climate and renewable-energy commitments lead to concrete implementation across Africa.His message reflects the international renewable-energy agenda's increasing focus on expanding not only generation but also scaling grids, storage, and electrification to make clean power usable across economies.