By Michelle Ndaga
Ethiopia has officially launched the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Africa’s largest hydropower project, despite years of fierce opposition from Egypt over concerns it could threaten vital Nile water supplies.
The $5 billion dam, under construction since 2011, currently generates 750 megawatts from two operational turbines but is designed to produce up to 5,150 megawatts at full capacity.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hailed the project as a cornerstone of national development, saying it would expand electricity access, support industrial growth, and allow Ethiopia to export surplus energy to neighboring countries.
While the inauguration has been celebrated domestically as a symbol of progress and self-reliance, Egypt has reiterated its alarm over the dam’s potential impact on its water security.
Cairo, which relies on the Nile for nearly all its freshwater needs, has long demanded a binding agreement on water release schedules and drought management.
Sudan, meanwhile, has expressed cautious optimism, noting potential benefits such as flood control and increased energy supply.
Despite years of African Union-led negotiations and global mediation efforts, no binding accord has been reached among the three countries. Ethiopia has maintained that GERD is a sovereign project and poses no threat to downstream nations.
The dam’s commissioning marks a historic milestone for Ethiopia’s energy ambitions but also underscores the persistent regional tensions over Nile water sharing.
