Addis Ababa: Installed Capacity of GERD Improved

The installed capacity of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam has increased to 6,450 MW, following the improvement made in the design of the dam, an official said.

Dr. Debretsion Gebremichael, member of the executive committee for the council of public mobilization on GERD, told reporters that the improvement has made on 14 of the total 16 turbines.

 

According to Debretsion, civil and electromechanical works of the dam are well in progress.

Up on completion, the dam will be the largest in Africa: with 1,800 m long, 155 m high and with a total volume of 74,000 million cubic meters.

The project involves the construction of a main dam in roller compacted concrete, two power stations installed at the foot of the dam – on the right and left banks of the river, and comprises 16 turbines.

Upon the launch of construction in 2011, the dam was set to generate 5,250MW power.

The power that the dam is going to generate will exceed the original plan by 1,200MW, equivalent to the combined generating capacity of Tekeze, Beles and Gibe II power projects.

Dr. Debretsion said “The improvement in the power generating capacity of the dam does not have anything to do with the water flow of the river. There will be no harm that could inflict on the downstream countries.”

According to him, the final works that will enable the dam start generating power are being underway.

Financing the dam through government bonds and public donations has helped to withstand possible financial and diplomatic pressures, he said.

The public’s contribution to the dam, in which its construction has surpasses 56 percent, has reached more than nine billion Birr.

source ena