The #GERD Electric Power Generation is officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

On the 20th of February 2022, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially inaugurated power generating at the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) hydroelectric plant. The Premier was present at the first 375 MW hydropower generation from the GERD’s first turbine.

The dam will not disrupt the River Nile’s natural flow, according to the Premier, who also stated that the start of electricity generation demonstrates #Ethiopia’s friendly attitude toward the river, since the project would not cause any significant harm to downstream countries.

“This is excellent news for our continent and the downstream countries with whom we hope to collaborate,” he said.

He also urged other Africans to follow Ethiopia’s lead in accelerating the fight against poverty and transforming their people’s lives.

Abiy also reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to facilitating congenial integration in the power supply sector across Africa and beyond by properly utilizing the country’s natural resources.

The Prime Minister also extended his thanks to all persons and institutions who contributed to the dam’s construction and the successful start of electric power generation from the GERD, which he referred to as “Africa’s largest power plant.”

Ethiopia stored about 13.9 cubic meters of water during the second phase of the filling. 4.5 billion cubic meters were filled in the first phase of the filling, which took place in July 2020.

Ethiopia has already spent over 100 billion birrs on the GERD’s construction. The dam has a height of 145 meters and a length of 1,789 meters, with a capacity of 74 billion cubic meters of water.

More than 60% of Ethiopia’s population lives in areas without electricity. The GERD project is viewed as a solution to the problem.

Source: Ethiopian Emabassy UK