Netherlands Dev’t Cooperation Keen to Continue Supporting Expansion of Biogas in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, January 17, 2024 (FBC) – The Netherlands Development Cooperation (SNV) is eager to continue supporting the expansion of biogas development programs in Ethiopia, SNV Biogas Dissemination Scale-Up Programme team leader Carlos Bueso told ENA.

The team leader noted that this technology is a priority for the Government of Ethiopia that has planned to install 160,000 biodigesters till 2030 with the view to providing clean energy for rural farmers.

The Netherlands Development Cooperation, which working in Ethiopia focusing on agri-food, energy, and water whilst scaling up biogas dissemination since 2017, is eager to support this ambitious plan as biogas technology has multi benefits for farmers at household level, Bueso said.

The overall objective of the program was to improve the living standard of farmers and families in 9 regions of Ethiopia.

The team leader noted that biogas technology makes available sustainable and clean cooking for farmers and families.

At the same time, the biodigester is not only about clean cooking but also about sanitation as the biodigester is linked to the toilet and used as a solution for sanitation.

“Biodigester mainly produces a strong, powerful, effective, and affordable organic fertilizer, which is improving the yield production, the soil fertility and soil health to the farmers. So, it’s a multi-benefit technology that is improving life standard for all these families in the 9 regions.”

The project has installed over 25,000 digesters in the nine regions since 2017.

Bueso noted that “the potential of biogas in Ethiopia is huge because the potential of livestock sector is quite big. The potential on biogas is more than 4 million digesters in Ethiopia that can be installed…. That’s around 23 % of the total population of Ethiopia.”

Scaling up the energy alternative approach will play a crucial role in boosting production and productivity as large number of population has been living without adequate power accessibility.

More than 90 percent of Ethiopians are still dependent on solid biomass for cooking that has adverse effects on the environment, it was learned.

Despite challenges in terms of access to clean cooking, this technology can be a breakthrough that the country is looking for, according to Carlos.

He further stated that the third phase of Biogas Dissemination Scale-Up Programme in Ethiopia (NBPE+) which closed last week was successful as it has created more than 2,000 green jobs and supported over 300 enterprises to support or to build biodigesters.

The Netherlands Development Cooperation (SNV) is working in Ethiopia by focusing on agri-food, energy, whilst scaling up biogas dissemination.