On Tuesday, Ethiopia will officially inaugurate its highly debated Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
The massive project, constructed by Addis Ababa on the Blue Nile, has triggered serious concerns in Egypt and Sudan over the possible decrease of water flow downstream. Many African leaders are expected to be absent at the ceremony due to the ongoing tensions.
The $5 billion hydroelectric dam, which has been in the works since 2011, is projected to generate over 5,000 megawatts of power, effectively doubling Ethiopia’s current electricity supply. A portion of the energy will also be exported to neighbouring nations.
Although a joint panel was established to negotiate the distribution of the Blue Nile waters, the situation remains tense. Egypt has strongly criticized what it describes as Addis Ababa’s “unilateral actions on the Nile’s waters.”
Ethiopia, however, insists it has carefully managed the flow to ensure downstream countries are not deprived. Authorities argue the massive dam will not only transform the country’s energy supply but also support its neighbours, positioning Ethiopia as Africa’s top electricity exporter.
