Mingyang Secures Licence for 8.4GW Renewable Energy Project in Ethiopia

Chinese renewable energy company Ming Yang Smart Energy Group has secured an investment licence for a multi-billion-dollar renewable energy project in Ethiopia following an earlier investment agreement signed with the Ethiopian government.

The Ethiopian Investment Commission confirmed that the company plans to develop an 8.4-gigawatt renewable energy project comprising 5.4GW of wind power and 2.8GW of solar energy across the South Omo, Afar and Somali regions of the country.

According to the commission, the first phase of the project is valued at approximately $7.47 billion and forms part of a broader investment programme unveiled during the fourth Invest in Ethiopia Forum.

The project is expected to rank among Africa’s largest renewable energy developments once completed, significantly expanding Ethiopia’s clean energy generation capacity and supporting the country’s ambitions to become a regional renewable energy hub.

In addition to the power generation project, Mingyang plans a second investment phase worth about $7.3 billion focused on green ammonia production and the manufacturing of electric transmission and wind turbine equipment.

The expanded investment commitment means the company’s total planned investment in Ethiopia has now risen to about $14.8 billion, exceeding the original $10 billion agreement announced earlier this year.

The Ethiopian Investment Commission described the development as a reflection of growing investor confidence in the country’s ongoing economic reforms and efforts to attract foreign direct investment.

Ethiopia has increasingly positioned renewable energy as a central component of its long-term economic strategy, leveraging its vast wind, solar and hydropower resources to drive industrialisation, improve electricity access and support export-oriented energy projects.

Mingyang, one of China’s leading wind turbine manufacturers, has expanded its international footprint in recent years through investments in renewable energy infrastructure, offshore wind projects and clean energy manufacturing across multiple markets.