Ethiopia begins generating power from the River Nile dam

Ethiopia achieved a historic milestone on Sunday with the launch of power generation from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the largest dam in Africa. The multi-billion-dollar hydropower plant signals Ethiopia's commitment to providing electricity to the 60% of its population that currently lacks access to reliable power sources. While this development is a significant step forward for Ethiopia, neighboring countries Sudan and Egypt remain concerned about potential water shortages downstream. The GERD project, which commenced construction in April 2011, has finally reached the operational phase after a decade-long journey. Zemedeneh Negatu, the Global Chairman at Fairfax Africa Fund, emphasized the monumental significance of the dam not only for Ethiopia but for the entire continent. With a capacity of over 5 gigawatts, the GERD represents a crucial infrastructure project that stands out for its size, cost, and unique self-financing model adopted by Ethiopia. Negatu highlighted that Ethiopia's ability to export electricity to East Africa and possibly even Northern Africa, including Egypt, positions the country as a key player in the regional energy market. Moreover, the GERD's completion will double Ethiopia's current installed capacity, facilitating widespread access to electricity and driving economic growth across various sectors. The interview also delved into the project's timeline and financial aspects. While the dam is 83% complete, additional investments are required to bridge the funding gap towards the projected $5 billion total cost. Negatu clarified that Ethiopia has already allocated substantial resources, showcasing a strong commitment to prioritize the GERD's completion. Despite challenges and delays that have characterized the project's execution, including disruptions caused by subcontractors, Negatu expressed confidence in meeting the construction deadlines within the next two years. Addressing concerns raised by Sudan and Egypt regarding potential water scarcity downstream, Negatu categorically stated that the GERD is a hydropower facility designed for electricity generation and not irrigation purposes. He emphasized that the dam's operations will not impede water flow to these countries, underscoring the benefits it will offer to Sudan in addressing its energy deficits. As Ethiopia celebrates the commencement of power generation from the GERD, the project's successful implementation marks a significant stride towards addressing the country's energy needs and fostering regional cooperation in the energy sector. With the potential to become a major electricity exporter in Africa, Ethiopia's vision for energy self-sufficiency and cross-border energy trade exemplifies the continent's aspirations for economic integration and sustainable development.