Ethiopia will inaugurate the long-debated Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) within the next six months, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced Thursday.
Speaking before parliament, Abiy declared that the massive hydroelectric project would mark a historic milestone, set to coincide with the beginning of Ethiopia’s new year around September.
However, he provided no further details on the exact timeline.
The $4.2-billion dam, located about 30 kilometers from the Sudanese border, has fueled regional tensions with Egypt and Sudan, both of which fear its impact on their access to vital Nile waters.
Despite repeated negotiations, no binding agreement has been reached among the three nations.
GERD, already generating power since February 2022, stands as Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam.
At full capacity, it will generate over 5,000 megawatts of electricity, more than doubling Ethiopia’s current output.
The structure spans 1.8 kilometers in length and towers 145 meters high, with a reservoir capable of holding 74 billion cubic meters of water.
Egypt, which relies on the Nile for 97% of its water needs, considers the dam an existential threat.
Sudan’s position has shifted over time, further complicated by its ongoing civil conflict.
Ethiopia, however, maintains that GERD will not diminish water flow to downstream nations.
With tensions still unresolved, the dam’s looming inauguration sets the stage for further diplomatic challenges in the region.
