The Nile is a source of livelihood for the Ethiopian population of over 110 million people. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is a hydropower dam started in 2011 to allow access to electricity for over 60 million Ethiopians and provides affordable electricity for all economic sectors.
The GERD begins producing hydroelectric power for its 1st phase. Ethiopia has made the second filling in the past rainy season. It has a primary source of water from the Abay River.
GERD is 83.9% completed and expected to generate 700 MW to cover 20% of Ethiopia’s demand. The remaining 16.1% of the construction will continue while the dam generates hydroelectric power. Once it reaches 100% completion, it will generate 5,150 megawatts of power, which will power 60% of the population. GERD is one of the largest dams globally & Africa’s largest in terms of electricity production.
The GERD’s benefits include supplying electric power to Ethiopia, regulating the ecosystem of the region, and helping control floods in the lower basin states. Ethiopia will be one of the main contributing nations to global carbon mitigation efforts due to the GERD. The GERD reduces annual water loss volume by evaporation, about 13 billion cubic meters of water. In addition, neighboring countries can purchase electricity from Ethiopia.
