Today: 8 May 2025
21 February 2022
1 min read

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam’s turbines swing into action

The first power generation comes as Ethiopia’s downstream neighbours –Egypt and Sudan view the dam as a threat to reduce the volume of water reaching their territories….reports Asian Lite News

The Ethiopian government has announced its grand hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile river has started generating electricity.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Sunday officially inaugurated the first power generation of the mega-dam, dubbed the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which is set to be the largest hydroelectric plant in Africa, Xinhua news agency quoted state-run Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) as saying in a report.

“The dam’s electricity generation is a blessing for the downstream countries too. We want to export our pollution-free power to Europe through Sudan and Egypt,” Ahmed said during the inaugural ceremony.

Ethiopia’s state-television reported that one of the 13 turbines of the grand dam commenced power generation on Sunday, with power generating capacity of 375 megawatts of electricity.

The first power generation comes as Ethiopia’s downstream neighbours –Egypt and Sudan view the dam as a threat to reduce the volume of water reaching their territories.

Ethiopia however, claims the dam is essential for its electrification and development and will insignificantly impact the downstream countries.

The country has frequently said the dam is essential for its development and will enable it to distribute power to its population of more than 110 million.

The east African nation had initially planned to generate around 6,500 megawatts of electricity from the dam, which is now 84 per cent complete.

The power generating capacity was later reduced to 5,150 megawatts.

The dam is being built on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia’s Benishangul- Gumuz Regional State with a designed total water holding capacity of 74 billion cubic metres.

ALSO READ: Ex-cop jailed for fatally shooting African-American man

ALSO READ: 6 African countries to be part of WHO’s mRNA vax tech project

Previous Story

Biden ready to meet Putin but conditions apply

Next Story

Global Covid caseload tops 424.1 mn

Latest from -Top News

India Strikes Terror Bases in Pakistan

‘Justice is served’, says Indian Army as Operation Sindoor unfolds In a significant military response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives, the Indian Army on Wednesday

UAE Reopens Doors to Lebanon

The prime minister expressed Lebanon’s “utmost gratitude and appreciation to the UAE” and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan….reports Asian Lite News Lebanon welcomed the decision by the United Arab Emirates

SYRIA RAIDS: Arab League Slams Israel

The Arab League condemned the airstrikes and called on the international community and the United Nations to confront what it described as “repeated violations committed by Israel against the Syrian state.” The

India Rises, Africa Watches 

While struggling economies in Africa engulf themselves in ideological battles and take sides in the tariff battles, nations like India are placing their national interest first and navigating Global Trade challenges in

WAVES 2025: Jaishankar Advocates Cultural Pluralism

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a powerful address at the WAVES 2025 Global Media Dialogue, highlighting the significance of cultural pluralism in shaping global change. Speaking on the second day of
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Ethiopian delegation explores Dubai’s digital economy

The visiting delegation included representatives of the Ministry of Innovation

EAM meets Ethiopian counterpart in Addis Ababa

Jaishankar is expected to meet several other ministers and representatives