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
The leaders of Ethiopia and Egypt have vowed to iron out their differences over the GERD.
Talks regarding the dam have been deadlocked for months. However, at a press conferee in Cairo earlier this month, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi signalled that they had made a breakthrough.
Ahmed has said Ethiopia is committed to ensuring Egypt's share of Nile water.
Safeguarding Egypt's share of the Nile, its main source of drinking water and water for industry and farming, is at the top of Sisi's agenda as he begins his second term in office.
The two sides have agreed to take steps to implement an agreement – which includes Sudan – to establish a fund for investing in infrastructure in the three countries.
Towards the end of their news conference, Sisi asked Ahmed to swear to God before the Egyptian people that he will not hurt Egypt's share of the Nile.
"I swear to God, we will never harm you," Ahmed 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.