Africa's biggest dam, Ethiopia officially commences operation
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Africa's largest hydroelectric dam, has been inaugurated, marking a significant milestone in Ethiopia's hydroelectric power sector. The dam, located in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, is a part of a longstanding Nile dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt.
With a population of 120 million, Ethiopia considers the GERD vital for its economic development. The $5 billion project, which began in 2011, is aimed at providing electricity for economic growth and potential energy exports. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed plans to use the energy from the dam to improve access to electricity and export surplus power to the region.
However, the inauguration of the GERD has reignited the Nile dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt. Egypt, which relies on the Nile for about 90% of its freshwater, fears the dam could restrict its water supply during droughts. Egypt's government argues that the dam violates colonial-era water agreements and poses an existential threat.
Egypt's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Tamim Challaf, has stated that Egypt will "take all appropriate measures to defend and protect the interests of the Egyptian people." Egypt's government has criticized the GERD for being a unilateral project that violates international law and threatens Egypt's vital water share from the Nile, which is crucial for over 108 million people. Egypt has condemned Ethiopia's refusal to negotiate and fears the dam will reduce its already limited water allocation.
Sudan, another downstream country, has joined Egypt's call for binding agreements on the dam's filling and operation. Sudan could also benefit from improved flood control and access to cheap energy from the GERD.
Power generation from the GERD is expected to increase from 750 megawatts to 5150 megawatts. The dam is designed to provide electricity to millions of people and support economic growth in Ethiopia. However, the impact on Egypt's water supply remains a significant concern.
The timing of negotiations for the dam's regulation and operation is not explicitly mentioned in the results. It is crucial for all parties involved to come to a mutually beneficial agreement to ensure the sustainable development of the region and the protection of the rights of all nations dependent on the Nile.
