Completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), launched in April 2011 and originally planned for completion in 2017, has been rescheduled. It will now become operational in four years, by 2022. The rescheduling of the timescale of the Dam Project has been done because of the problems associated with delays in the provision of the Dam’s electro-mechanical and metal works. A detailed assessment and measurement of the sophisticated electro-mechanical works of the Dam is now being made by carefully selected well experienced and internationally renowned companies to devise remedial plan and continue the work.
The work on the Dam has been going on without interruption and there are now plans to start generating power from the first two turbine units in the coming two years, before total completion by 2022. Currently, 82% of the civil work of the Dam has been completed while the work of the overall Dam work is 65% complete.
Ethiopia has, time and again, demonstrated its determination to promote mutual benefits among all the Nile Basin Countries, to collectively and individually contribute to the eradication of poverty from the Region in this century. It is in accordance with this positive and constructive spirit that Ethiopia has been engaging in the ongoing Tripartite Negotiations with Egypt and Sudan in accordance with the recommendations of the International Panel of Experts (IPoE).
Following agreement between the three countries, a joint National Independent Scientific Research Study Group, composed of five members from each country, was established to discuss means of enhancing the levels of understanding and cooperation among the three countries with regard to the GERD. The Scientific Group has conducted four meetings to discuss and develop various scenarios related to the filling and rules of operation of the GERD in accordance with the principles of equitable and reasonable utilization of shared water resources, while taking all appropriate measures to prevent the causing of any significant harm.
Ethiopia has consistently contributed to the discussions in good faith and in a spirit of cooperation. It has the firm conviction that the only way to resolve differences regarding the GERD is through continued dialogue and consultation – without undue politicizing and internationalization of mere technical issues. Ethiopia will continue with this commitment to its longstanding position and policies on fair utilization of the Nile waters on the basis of equitable and reasonable utilization of common resources without causing significant harm on others.
