Ethiopia Celebrates Completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) which is a massive hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile River in the Benishangul-Gumuz region of western Ethiopia. It is the largest hydroelectric power plant in Africa and one of the largest in the world. The project is central to Ethiopia’s economic development strategy and symbolizes the country’s efforts toward energy independence and regional integration.
As of July 3, 2025, Ethiopia officially confirmed the full completion of the GERD, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announcing the inauguration is scheduled for September 2025. The announcement marks a significant milestone in a project that has been under development for over a decade.
Project Oveview
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he idea of constructing a major dam on the Blue Nile dates back to the 1960s.
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The GERD project was officially launched in April 2011 by the Ethiopian government.
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Initially known as the Millennium Dam, it was renamed the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam to reflect national pride and ambition.
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The project has been largely financed by Ethiopians through bond sales and donations, as well as government funding.
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Location: Near Guba, Benishangul-Gumuz, Ethiopia
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River: Blue Nile
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Height: 145 meters
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Length: 1,780 meters
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Reservoir Capacity: ~74 billion cubic meters
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Installed Capacity: Over 6,000 MW (Megawatts)
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Annual Energy Output: Estimated at 15,000 GWh
The dam is equipped with 13 turbines and is expected to provide power to over 60 million Ethiopians, with surplus energy exported to neighboring countries such as Sudan, Kenya, and Djibouti
Since its inception, GERD has been a source of diplomatic tension between Ethiopia and its downstream neighbors—Egypt and Sudan—who depend heavily on the Nile River for water.
Egypt raised concerns that the dam could reduce its share of Nile waters, threatening agriculture and water security. Sudan voiced both support and concerns over the dam’s impact on water flow and dam safety.
Ethiopia has consistently maintained that:
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GERD will not significantly harm downstream flow.
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Egypt’s Aswan Dam has not lost water due to GERD operations.
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The project is based on the principle of “equitable and reasonable utilization” of Nile waters.
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Ethiopia remains open to constructive dialogue and diplomatic negotiation.
For official technical documentation and updates, visit the Ethiopian Electric Power website – the government agency managing the GERD project.
Construction Timeline
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April 2011: Foundation laid.
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2013–2020: Civil works and partial turbine installation.
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2020: First filling of the dam reservoir begins.
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2021–2023: Progressive water impoundment, turbine testing, and partial power generation begins.
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2024: Major technical works completed.
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July 2025: Official completion of all dam structures and systems.
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September 2025: Official inauguration scheduled.
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