15/09/2025
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a massive hydroelectric project located on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia. Here's what you need to know about it:
*Key Facts:*
LOCATION.
The dam is situated in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia, about 14 km east of the border with Sudan.
PURPOSE
The primary purpose of the dam is electricity production to relieve Ethiopia's acute energy shortage and export electricity to neighboring countries.
CAPACITY
The dam has an installed capacity of 5.15 gigawatts, making it the largest hydroelectric power plant in Africa and among the 20 largest in the world.
CONSTRUCTION.
The construction of the dam began in 2011 and was completed in 2023, with a total cost of around $5 billion.
IMPACT.
The dam is expected to double Ethiopia's electricity production and provide clean energy equivalent to three nuclear reactors.