The announcement came here on Friday at a relevant press conference.

Asfaw Dingamo and Alemayehu Tegenu called upon the public to wait patiently until the problem of power caused by shortage of water due to climate change is addressed in the coming main rainy season.

Asfaw said the climate change which is inflicting a great damage worldwide is the main cause to the poor performance of seasonal rains during the short rainy season "Belg" in Ethiopia.

Though there was enough water in reservoirs of the country during the last rainy season, the water evaporates rapidly due to global warming.

Speaking for his part Alemayehu said though immense efforts are being made by the government to grow the energy sector, the power rationing program is taken as an alterative to compromise demand and supply.

While going operational the five power generating stations being constructed in the country would address the ever growing power demand sustainably.

Particularly Gilgel Gibe two and Tekeze power stations, which would start service next September, are expected to decrease the problem.

The volume of power consumed over the first nine months of the pervious budget year is equal to that of same period the current year, he said and added that this shows that there is an increasing demand in power supply.

Manager of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo), Mihret Debebe urged the public to further continue its cooperation in the efforts being made to address the problem.

He said the Corporation is ready to quit the power rationing when there is sufficient rain.

R-4:25-4:53 PM

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