Ethiopia inaugurates hydroelectric dam
Addis Ababa (dpa) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on Tuesday saying that it showed the world what his country was capable of.
The dam measuring 1,800 metres in length and 170 metres in height is Africa’s largest and is seen as a prestige project in the north-east African country. Its hydroelectric power plant is set to provide millions of Ethiopians with electricity.
In the face of criticism over damming the Blue Nile voiced by Egypt and Sudan, Abiy emphasized that Ethiopia intended no harm to its neighbours but rather to “find common well-being.”
The country aims to become a net power exporter on the basis of the dam that cost $4.6 billion to build. Construction began in 2011.
South Sudanese President Salva Mir announced that his country would take power from the dam.
Kenyan President William Ruto posted on X that the dam offered “immense promise” to Kenya and said Kenya was ready to sign an agreement to take surplus electricity.
He described it as a “bold affirmation of Africa’s ability to marshal its own resources and shape its destiny.”
But he added that Kenya was aware of differing perspectives and called on Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan to continue with trilateral talks in good faith.
The dam has a stated capacity of 5,000 megawatts equivalent to around four modern nuclear power stations. The reservoir can hold up to 75 billion cubic metres and stretches for 172 kilometres.
Since February 2022, it has been producing 375 megawatts with two turbines. When fully operational, there will be 13 turbines. It was designed and built by Italy’s Webuild.
Egypt has long opposed its construction, fearing water shortages for its agriculture and its population of 198 million. Sudan has expressed similar concerns.
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