Ethiopia announced on Sunday that it has completed the fourth and final phase of filling the massive reservoir of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile River.
The construction of the Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam, with a cost of $4 billion, began in 2011, and Ethiopia argues that the project is crucial to support its economic development.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office wrote on the social media platform “Ex” on Sunday, “Congratulations to everyone on the fourth filling of the Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam. Our national perseverance has borne fruit.”
With an expected production capacity of over six thousand megawatts, Ethiopia sees the Grand Renaissance Dam as a cornerstone in its attempt to become the largest energy provider in Africa.
Negotiations are ongoing between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia regarding the project.
In a sign of progress in July, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Abiy Ahmed agreed on plans to finalize an agreement between the three countries regarding the dam’s filling and operation rules.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a massive hydroelectric dam project located on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia. It has been a subject of contention and negotiations between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan for years.
Ethiopia sees the GERD as a critical component of its development efforts, as it aims to become a major energy exporter in the region. Egypt, downstream on the Nile, is concerned that the dam’s filling and operation could negatively impact its water supply, and Sudan has expressed concerns about the dam’s potential effects on its own dams and water resources.
Negotiations have been ongoing to reach a comprehensive agreement on the filling and operation of the dam that addresses the concerns of all parties involved. The recent announcement of the completion of the fourth filling phase is a significant development in this ongoing diplomatic process.
Ethiopia’s assertion of its progress in filling the GERD reservoir highlights its determination to move forward with the project despite the ongoing negotiations and concerns from Egypt and Sudan. The involvement of various stakeholders, including international mediators, remains crucial in finding a mutually acceptable solution to this complex issue.
