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| Ethiopia Launches the Continent's Largest Hydroelectric Project |
Ethiopia has officially launched Africa's largest hydroelectric project, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a $5 billion initiative on the Blue Nile that aims to provide power to millions and transform regional dynamics.
The dam, which started partial operations in 2022, achieved its full capacity of 5,150 MW on Tuesday, September 9, ranking it among the 20 largest hydroelectric dams globally. With a population exceeding 120 million, Ethiopia views the GERD as a fundamental element of its economic aspirations.
During the inauguration in Guba, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed highlighted that the project was designed to foster prosperity, electrify the region, and alter the historical narrative of black people. He reassured Egypt and Sudan that the dam was “not intended to harm its brothers.”
The reservoir, which spans an area larger than Greater London, is anticipated to stabilize water flow for irrigation and mitigate the risks of floods and drought.
However, Egypt remains apprehensive that the GERD could jeopardize its crucial Nile water supply, particularly during drought periods. With the Nile accounting for approximately 90% of its fresh water, Cairo has consistently sought legally binding agreements regarding the dam’s filling and operation. Sudan has echoed Egypt’s concerns but also stands to gain from improved flood control and access to more affordable electricity.
Despite initial worries, independent studies indicate no significant disruptions to downstream water flow thus far, attributed to careful reservoir management and favorable rainfall patterns.
The GERD has emerged as a symbol of national pride in Ethiopia, bringing together a nation historically fragmented by internal strife. The majority of the funding — 91% — was sourced from Ethiopia’s central bank, with the remainder raised through bonds and contributions from citizens.
For the local population, the effects are already apparent. “We now have refrigerators. We can drink cold water. We use electricity for everything,” remarked Sultan Abdulahi Hassan, a farmer residing near the dam.