Ethiopia officially inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on September 9, a massive hydroelectric project on the Blue Nile that is expected to more than double the country’s power generation capacity. The dam, now Africa’s largest hydropower installation, represents a landmark achievement in Ethiopia’s energy ambitions but continues to stir disputes with downstream nations.
A Mega Project on the Blue Nile
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), located in the Benishangul-Gumuz region about 700 kilometers northwest of Addis Ababa and near the Sudanese border, is designed to hold approximately 74 billion cubic meters of water in its reservoir, Nigat Lake. Stretching 1,800 meters in length and rising 170 meters in height, the dam was constructed by Italy-based Webuild.
Work on the project began in 2011 and was primarily financed through domestic bonds and public contributions after international loans fell through. The facility features 13 turbines across two power stations, with a total installed capacity of 5,150 megawatts and an annual output estimated at 15,700 gigawatt hours. Webuild compared the output to that of three medium-sized nuclear power plants.
The construction itself set milestones in global engineering. In December 2014, the project recorded a world first by laying 23,000 cubic meters of roller-compacted concrete in a single day. Altogether, 10.7 million cubic meters of concrete went into building the main structure.
National and International Impact
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali presided over the inauguration ceremony, joined by Webuild Chief Executive Pietro Salini and visiting leaders from across Africa. Officials highlighted the project’s transformative potential for Ethiopia’s 120 million people, nearly half of whom lack reliable access to electricity. With the GERD, Ethiopia plans not only to supply its domestic needs but also to export power to neighboring East African countries.
The project also spurred local development. A new community has grown around the site, equipped with healthcare facilities, a school, sports amenities, and improved road infrastructure. Over 25,000 workers, the majority Ethiopian, contributed to the dam’s completion.
Despite its economic promise, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has fueled political friction with Egypt and Sudan, countries heavily dependent on Nile waters for agriculture and livelihoods. Egypt, in particular, has voiced concerns about reduced water flow, while Ethiopia maintains that the project is crucial for its development. After more than a decade of negotiations, the parties have yet to finalize a binding water-sharing agreement.
From Construction to Operation
The reservoir filling began in stages in 2022 and was completed in 2024, paving the way for full operations. With the inauguration, Ethiopia moves closer to achieving its goal of energy self-sufficiency and positioning itself as a regional power supplier.
Webuild framed the project as a cornerstone of both Ethiopia’s and Africa’s development strategy. The company has been involved in Ethiopia for more than seven decades, delivering major projects such as the Gibe III dam and the Beles Multipurpose Project. Globally, it has built 318 dams and hydroelectric facilities with a combined capacity of more than 53,000 megawatts.
According to Webuild, GERD reflects Ethiopia’s long-term growth vision and aligns with international efforts to expand sustainable infrastructure. The company noted that its hydropower projects collectively help reduce millions of tons of carbon emissions annually.
At full capacity, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is expected to stand not just as a national achievement but as one of the world’s most significant contributions to renewable energy development.
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