REGIONAL INTEGRATION AND THE POLITICS OF HYDROPOWER: STUDY ON POTENTIAL OF HYDROPOWER INTEGRATIONS AND ETHIOPIA’S ROLE IN IGAD REGION

Abstract

It is evident that efficient and clean energy supplies are needed to fuel IGAD member countries’ development and fight against poverty as energy underpins the provision of clean water, health services, education and communication. Energy is a significant part of the total infrastructure that allows rural and urban poor to grow beyond subsistence activity. However, most proportion of IGAD region societies still dependent on traditional and energy sources and, IGAD region faces challenges of low level of infrastructural development. Fostering interdependence among countries of the region through infrastructure development such as power interconnection, road and railway constructions provide a base for alleviating common challenges and creating closer economic community. Regional integration through energy development is an important aspect of such interdependence. On this regard, as one of water towers of Africa, Ethiopia offers a great deal of opportunity for clean energy production, Ethiopia’s potential to generate more than 45,000MW power is enough to meet most of sub-Saharan Africa’s current electricity demand. More importantly, Ethiopia’s population size, relative internal stability, military power and diplomatic strength have enabled it to position itself as a regional power and to drive regional peace and security initiatives. This thesis aims to explore the major roles that Ethiopia is playing for the formation of integrated community in IGAD region. Theories of intergovermentalism and neo- functionalism supported the study to understand the main principles of integration. Both theories explain regional integration through public goods such as hydropower and its knock on effect for further integration among neighbouring countries. The research questions of this thesis are well approached by qualitative analysis research methodology. The thesis also has the additional merit of being quantitatively backed, as there are empirical data on the integrated projects and potential integrated projects that underscores the theoretical concept of energy hub, and regional integration through public goods