Ethiopia officially inaugurated its $5 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), marking a significant milestone in the country’s energy development ambitions. The dam, now the largest hydroelectric project in Africa, aims to provide power to millions of Ethiopians and neighbouring countries. However, it has sparked tensions with Egypt, which views the dam as a threat to its water security.
The GERD, situated on the Blue Nile, reached its full power capacity of 5,150 MW on Tuesday, placing it among the world’s top 20 largest hydroelectric dams. The dam’s inaugural ceremony in Guba, Ethiopia, was attended by dignitaries from Somalia, Djibouti, and Kenya. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addressed the crowd, stating, “Ethiopia built the dam to prosper, to electrify the entire region, and to change the history of black people. It is absolutely not to harm its brothers,” referring to Sudan and Egypt.
The dam’s construction, which began in 2011, has been a source of national pride for Ethiopia, a country with a population of over 120 million. The project is set to address the significant power deficit within the country, where nearly half the population had no access to electricity as of 2022. The Ethiopian government has also highlighted that the dam will provide surplus electricity that could be exported to neighbouring countries.
The dam’s reservoir, which covers an area larger than Greater London, is expected to regulate the flow of water downstream, aiding in irrigation and flood control. Ethiopia has already been filling the reservoir in phases since 2020, ensuring that no significant disruptions to the flow of water to downstream countries have been reported.
However, Egypt, which depends on the Nile for about 90% of its freshwater supply, remains deeply concerned. The Egyptian government views the dam as a violation of long-standing water treaties and fears it could severely reduce the flow of water during droughts, exacerbating water scarcity in the country. In response, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry sent a letter to the UN Security Council, stating that the dam’s inauguration violated international law.
Despite these concerns, Ethiopia insists that the dam will not harm its downstream neighbours. Ethiopian authorities have pointed to independent research indicating that no major disruptions to water flow have occurred thus far, with the cautious filling of the reservoir coinciding with favourable rainfall patterns.
The GERD’s impact on Sudan is more mixed. While Sudan has expressed concerns over the dam’s operation, it stands to benefit from better flood management and access to affordable electricity. The country has joined Egypt in calling for legally binding agreements on how the dam will be filled and operated.
For Ethiopia, the dam has become a symbol of unity and national pride, especially in the context of the country’s internal conflicts. “It has been a banner to rally under, and it shows what we can achieve when unified,” said Mekdelawit Messay, an Ethiopian water researcher.
While the GERD is expected to benefit many Ethiopians, particularly in urban areas, rural regions may still face challenges in accessing the electricity due to underdeveloped transmission networks. As of 2022, only 55% of Ethiopia’s population had access to electricity.
The dam’s construction is not without controversy. Egypt, with a population of 108 million, has indicated its intention to protect its water interests, and has increasingly strengthened its ties with Ethiopia’s regional rivals, particularly Eritrea.
As Ethiopia moves forward with its hydroelectric aspirations, the GERD will remain at the heart of regional disputes, with Ethiopia continuing to defend its right to harness the Nile’s resources for its development while Egypt seeks assurances over its water security.
This ongoing geopolitical challenge underscores the complex dynamics of water sharing in Africa, with the Nile serving as a vital lifeline for multiple nations.
