The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has reached its full generating capacity of 5,150 megawatts, making Ethiopia the largest hydroelectric power producer in Africa. The milestone was celebrated at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister and senior government officials.
With all 13 turbines now operational, the GERD is expected to generate approximately 15,700 GWh of electricity annually, enough to power the entire country and export surplus energy to neighboring nations including Kenya, Sudan, and Djibouti.
The dam, located on the Blue Nile River in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, has been under construction since 2011. Its completion represents one of the largest infrastructure achievements in African history, with a total investment of approximately $4.8 billion.
Minister of Water and Energy Habtamu Itefa stated that the GERD will transform Ethiopia into a major energy exporter. "This is a new chapter for Ethiopia and for Africa. Clean, renewable energy will drive our industrialization and contribute to regional integration."
Comments (1)