The construction of Africa’s largest hydropower station is taking shape despite regional dispute. The progress on Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD) has gained momentum over the past few months and its completion at 71 percent.
According to the Project Deputy Director, Belachew Kasa, civil works are at 87 percent while electro-mechanical and steel works are at 35 percent and 17 percent respectively.
“Generally, the dam is 71% complete and we look forward to June this year to start filling the reservoir with water,” he said.
The construction of the US$ 5 billion dam begun in 2011 but faced delays due to a number of issues including regional dispute over the flow of river Nile where it sits, and the cancellation of the initial contract with the Ethiopian military-run METEC.
The mega dam will be installed with 30 turbines that will produce 6000 MW of electricity upon completion.
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The middle section of the dam where the 30 turbines will sit is yet to be finished. It will require 200 million rolls of concrete slabs to raise to the final height.
Once the reservoir is filled with water, giant tubes will deliver the water down through turbines 9 and 10. The turbines will be propelled by the powerful water jet to ignite the hydro-power engines to produce electricity.
The power produced is expected to be enough to satisfy Ethiopia’s electricity needs and export to as far as Southern Africa and Western Europe.
Ethiopia says the project is crucial for its economic development. Egypt, however, fears the dam will affect the natural flow of Nile water which it has had access to since its historic 1959 agreement with Sudan.
Talks are underway to resolve the Egypt – Ethiopia dispute over the construction of the dam with United States of America stepping in to mediate.
