The Ethiopian Electric Corporation has announced that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) will start generating 750 MW out of the two completed units by August 2021.
The corporation’s CEO, Ashebir Balcha admits that the two units have the power of generating 375 MW of energy each.
Ashebir further explained that the first phase of energy generation produces more than those of Tekeze and Gilgel Gibe combined at the capacity of generating 300 MW and 420 MW respectively.
The two units plan to generate 400 GW/H having the capacity to provide about 4 million populations with energy facility.
GERD National Public Participation and Coordination Office also remarked that the project is underway as the two water tunnels have been completed and have begun operating since last week.
The metal works is 53.7 per cent done, the civil work of the project is 91 per cent completed while the overall progress is put at 79 per cent.
The reservoir accumulated 4.9 billion cubic metre of water by the first round filling in July 2020.
Also, EthioTelecom has contributed 122.5 million Birr secured through 8100 messaging campaign to the project during a handover ceremony in April 2020.