Ethiopia Launches Africa’s Biggest Dam On Edge Of The Nile

At 8:53 am on February 20th, Ethiopia powered one of the 13 turbines on the Grand Ethiopian renaissance dam sitting on the edge of the blue Nile.

The dam will be Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam upon completion, which according to the dams project manager, will take another two and half three years.

With a total power generating capacity of 6,500 megawatts, the dam, has been a source of tensions between Ethiopia and the other riparian states, Sudan and Egypt. Egypt fears a quick filling of the dam will reduce its share of Nile waters, especially during the drought and seeks a binding legal agreement in case of a dispute.

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, however, said the dam would be of benefit to Egypt and Sudan as well.

 “We want to export our pollution-free electricity to Europe through Sudan and Egypt, so the way forward is cooperation among us. Ethiopia doesn’t want and intend to harm anyone else,” he said.

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry put out a terse statement the day the dam was launched, saying that Ethiopia’s move is another “breach” of the agreement of principles that the three countries signed in 2015 but refrained from elaborating.

Ethiopia contends the $4.2 billion dam is essential for its development and will enable it to distribute power to its population of more than 110 million.

Several rounds of talks have been held in attempts to solve the stalemate.

The dam’s construction started in 2011 and the completion date was missed years ago due to the embezzlement of funds and design flaws.