1. Sediment Reduction
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will significantly reduce the sediment loads that the Blue Nile brings to Sudan every year. Usually, the river would carry about 270 million tons of sediment annually, but with the GERD in place, this is slashed to just 19 million tons yearly. That’s an impressive 86% reduction! This decrease in sediment will help keep the riverbed clear and improve water flow, which is excellent news for reservoirs like Roseires and Sennar, which often struggle with sedimentation annually.
2. Prolonging Reservoir Lifespan: The Renaissance Dam will also extend the life of the Roseires reservoir. It will trap loads of sediment, trees, animals, and other debris that the Blue Nile sweeps away during its fast flows in July and August. By catching all this stuff, the dam helps conserve valuable resources and ensures the reservoir can keep doing its job much longer.
3. Flood Regulation: Floods have been a nightmare for cities along the Blue Nile in Sudan, but the dam will help regulate the river’s flow throughout the year. This means fewer destructive floods and a more stable water supply. With the river flowing more consistently, farmers can have multiple agricultural cycles, and electricity generation in the Roseires and Merowe reservoirs will increase.
4. Groundwater Nourishment: Thanks to the dam, the Blue Nile will flow steadily all year round, helping maintain groundwater levels. This is crucial because it ensures a year-round water supply, not just during the three months of the Blue Nile floods. Consistent water availability is especially beneficial for agriculture, allowing crops to be watered throughout the year.
5. Affordable Electricity: Ethiopia has committed to selling electricity generated by the Renaissance Dam to Sudan and Egypt at about a quarter of the cost of generating electricity in the Merowe and High Dam reservoirs. Sudan is already starting to benefit from this arrangement, buying electricity from Ethiopia’s other rivers, such as the Tekeze Dam on the Atbara River.
6. Water for Irrigation: With the Blue Nile’s flow regulated, Sudan can get more water for its agricultural projects in the Blue Nile State. If Ethiopia and Sudan reach an agreement, Sudan could draw water from the Renaissance Dam’s lake through a canal to these agricultural areas. This would provide a reliable water source, supporting sustainable agriculture and development. These tunnels distribute water efficiently, especially to higher-elevation lands, boosting farming opportunities and enhancing the local economy and food security.
7. Reduced Evaporation Loss: Another benefit is that the dam will limit evaporation, so less water is lost. This means more water will be available for Sudan and Egypt. The GERD also helps reduce evaporation at the Aswan High Dam by 6 to 16 billion cubic meters per year and decreases the average spillage to the desert from 10 to 15 billion cubic meters, thanks to its presence.
drinkable water comes from the nile: it needs to be filtered to remove the sediments. less sediments means less costs : filters will last longer.