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Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Ethiopia

29th May 2020

By: Sheila Barradas

Creamer Media Research Coordinator & Senior Deputy Editor

     

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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.

Project Owner/s
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 the discharge of floodwater 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.

Capital Expenditure
The project is valued at an estimated $4.8-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
In January, Ethiopia's Water and Energy Minister said that, following construction delays, the dam would start production by the end of 2020 and be fully operational by 2022.

Latest Developments
China and the United Nations have backed calls for Ethiopia to resume talks about its plan to begin filling the GERD, which Egypt opposes.

Ethiopia wants to flood the dam when the next rainy season begins in July. Egypt insists on having a say in how quickly it is filled because it will affect the flow of the Nile river, the nation’s main source of fresh water. The US, which counts the countries as important regional allies, has urged them to resolve the issue amicably.

China is Ethiopia’s biggest trading partner. It’s also estimated to have provided more than $16-billion in loans for the Horn of Africa nation, including a $1.2-billion credit to build transmission lines that will link to the plant. The electricity will help power a Chinese-funded railway that connects landlocked Ethiopia to ports in neighbouring Djibouti.

US and World Bank-backed efforts to mediate the dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt broke down in February, when Ethiopia withdrew from the talks. Earlier this month, Egypt accused Ethiopia of having “a policy of unilateralism,” according to a letter to the Security Council obtained by Bloomberg. Ethiopia responded by saying that it was not legally obliged to seek Egypt’s approval to fill the dam.

Sudan has also been party to the discussions about the dam. The Blue Nile, which originates in Ethiopia and is one of the main tributaries of the Nile, passes through Sudan en route to Egypt. The Sudanese government is working to restart tripartite talks.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the countries to “peacefully resolve” their differences. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel have also sent a letter to Abiy offering their support in talks between the three nations. The call came two months after Egypt appealed for the European Union’s (EU’s) assistance in the impasse.

Researchers at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs have proposed that the EU help to determine a price tag for a slower fill and help Egypt with financing to pay Ethiopia to cover that cost.

Ethiopia remains resolute that a so-called declaration of principles agreement signed by Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan in 2015 allows it to proceed with damming the GERD.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Salini Costruttori, a subsidiary of Salini Impregilo; GE Hydro France, China Gezhouba Group Corp, Voith Hydro Shanghai and China's Sinohydro Corp (construction contract); Alstom (turbine and generators).

Contact Details for Project Information
EEPCo, tel +251 11 1 55 95 67, fax +251 11 1 57 1860 or email eepcocommunication@yahoo.com.
 
 

 

 

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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