ETHIOPIA LAUNCHES AFRICA’S LARGEST HYDROELECTRIC DAM AS IT DOUBLES ELECTRICITY CAPACITY
Grand Renaissance Dam opens with cultural pomp to end blackouts, power electric vehicles and fuel economic growth, though regional tensions simmer.
Ethiopia officially inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on Tuesday, cementing its status as Africa’s largest hydroelectric project. Located on the Blue Nile near Sudan’s border, the $5 billion dam is set to generate over 5,000 megawatts more than doubling the nation’s current electricity output.
Spectators in Addis Ababa, dressed in traditional attire, watched the ceremony on large screens and celebrated with dancing and music. Leaders from neighboring countries, including Kenya and South Sudan, attended and expressed interest in importing power generated by the dam.
The dam’s launch comes as Ethiopia aims to eliminate frequent power outages and drive a push toward electric vehicles, a move bolstered by an existing ban on importing gasoline-powered cars.
However, the project remains highly controversial. Downstream countries Egypt and Sudan cite concerns over water security, citing colonial-era treaties and demanding binding agreements on dam operations. Egypt has labelled GERD an “existential threat” and continues to criticize Ethiopia’s unilateral progress.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addressed these concerns during the ceremony, assuring that Ethiopia seeks regional cooperation and does not intend to harm downstream water interests.
GERD is envisioned as a regional energy powerhouse, among the world’s 20 largest hydropower facilities with irrigational and flood-control benefits projected for downstream areas.
By Itoro Etukudo
Source: All Africa
