Ethiopia has officially inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam, despite bitter opposition from downstream Egypt.
The $5 billion project, begun in 2011, will provide energy to millions of Ethiopians and has been touted as a symbol of national unity.
The dam’s power generation is expected to rise to 5,150 MW from the 750 MW currently produced by its two active turbines.
Egypt fears the dam could restrict its water supply during droughts and lead to the construction of other upstream dams, violating water treaties dating back to the British colonial era.
Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tamim Khallaf stated that Egypt would closely monitor developments and “exercise its right to take all appropriate measures to defend and protect the interests of the Egyptian people”.
Sudan has joined Egypt’s calls for legally binding agreements on the dam’s filling and operation.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed insists the dam is “not a threat, but a shared opportunity” that will generate energy and development to uplift not just Ethiopia but the region.
Independent research shows no major disruptions to downstream flow have been recorded, partly due to favorable rainfall and cautious filling of the reservoir.
The dam’s reservoir has flooded an area larger than Greater London and will provide a steady water supply for hydropower and irrigation downstream while limiting floods and drought.
