Name of the Project
Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
Location
The GERD is located on the Abay river, in the Beneshangul Gumuz region of Ethiopia.
Client
Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo).
Project Description
The project envisages a plant with an installed capacity of 6 000 MW that will supply 15 692 GWh/y.
The major components of the project include:
• a 145-m-high, roller-compacted concrete (RCC) dam with a 1 780-m-long crest;
• a rock-filled saddle dam, 4 800 m long and 45 m high, with 24 upstream bituminous facing;
• two outdoor powerhouses of 3 750 MW and 2 250 MW installed capacity, containing ten and six generating units respectively, each with a capacity of 375 MW; and
• a 500 kV switchyard, which will transmit power from the two powerhouses to the grid.
The main dam and saddle dam will create 74-billion cubic metres of impounding capacity, with a surface area of 1 680 km2 at full capacity.
A gated spillway, equipped with six radial gates and a discharge capacity of 14 700 m3/s at probable maximum flood occurrence, will be located on the left side of the main dam.
A saddle dam on the left side of the RCC dam, with an emergency side spillway, is envisaged to allow for flood water discharged directly into the Roseires reservoir.
The construction of 123 km of access roads, as well as camps, workshops and other civil works, form part of the activities for the project.
Potential Job Creation
Not stated.
Value
The project is valued at an estimated $4.8-billion.
Duration
The project is expected to take 78 months.
Latest Developments
Talks in Khartoum between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt to resolve differences over the GERD ended early on April 6, without agreement.
"We were not able to reach an agreement on a joint decision, and it's a technical issue that we cannot discuss," Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour has said.
No date has been set for further discussions, but irrigation Ministers are planning to meet at some point for more talks on the matter, the Minister said.
Key Contracts and Suppliers
Salini Costruttori, a subsidiary of Salini Impregilo (construction contract) and Alstom (turbine and generators).
On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.
Contact Details for Project Information
EEPCo, tel +251 11 1 55 95 67, fax +251 11 1 57 1860 or email eepcocommunication@yahoo.com.