Unveiling Clean Microgrid Expansion using Energy Access Explorer for Powering Agriculture in Ethiopia

Energy Access Explorer is used to model the priority areas for expanding clean microgrid energy to power Ethiopia's agriculture sector. Using Energy Access Explorer, the demand index and supply index are estimated to determine the energy access potential, indicating that the geographic area with the highest energy access potential has the potential for microgrid expansion. The demand potential is determined by population density, relative wealth index, and crop production level, whereas the supply potential is determined by global horizontal irradiation, distance from the distribution line, distance from the minigrid, distance to the small-scale hydropower potential, availability of resources such as rivers and shallow groundwater, and proximity to roads and cities. The filters and overlays on Energy Explorer are used to identify areas with higher energy access potential, thereby highlighting potential areas for clean microgrid expansion. The analysis results show that there are 20 top priority locations for the expansion of clean microgrid energy alternatives that could contribute to powering 55.17 percent of the small-scale farming districts covered by the analysis. These areas are found in the Sidama, SNNP, Oromia, and Amhara regions. Sidama regional state contains 96.4 percent of the area.