Ethiopia announced that it has more than doubled its electricity production from the controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile, following the activation of two additional turbines.
The multi-billion-dollar dam, which has been a point of contention with downstream countries Egypt and Sudan, is now producing 1,550 megawatts of electricity, according to a post on X late Tuesday by GERD.
“The overall progress of the GERD has now transitioned from construction phase to operation phase,” it said, adding that construction of the concrete dam was now complete.
“The two turbines generating 400MW each have now started operations, adding to the already functional two turbines generating 375MW each, totalling an output of 1,550MW.”
Ethiopia began generating electricity from the dam in February 2022 and expects it to produce over 5,000 megawatts, which is double the country’s current electricity output.
Egypt and Sudan have expressed worries about the dam’s operation without a tripartite agreement, fearing it could jeopardise their access to crucial Nile waters.
Addis Ababa views the GERD as crucial for powering and developing Africa’s second most populous country.