Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has reached another significant milestone with the successful activation of Units #7, #8, #9, and #10, which are now fully operational. These developments are part of Ethiopia’s broader efforts to enhance its power generation capacity and secure energy independence.
Unit #7 began generating power today, initially producing 25 MW and is expected to rapidly scale up to its full capacity of 400 MW. The activation of these units is crucial to the ongoing progress of GERD, which, once fully operational, is set to be the largest hydroelectric power plant in Africa.
The GERD project, situated on the Blue Nile River in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, is designed with a total of 13 turbines. The dam’s overall installed capacity is 5,150 MW, derived from:
- Eleven turbines, each with a capacity of 400 MW, located in Units 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16.
- Two turbines, each with a capacity of 375 MW, situated in Units 9 and 10.
This mix of turbine capacities brings GERD’s total installed capacity to:
[
\text{Total Capacity (P)} = (11 \times 400) + (2 \times 375) = 4,400 + 750 = 5,150 \text{ MW}
]
With the current units online, GERD is significantly boosting Ethiopia’s power generation capabilities, supporting both domestic energy needs and the country’s ambitions to export electricity to neighboring countries.
The next stage of GERD’s development includes the planned activation of two additional turbines, which is expected to occur after the dam’s fifth filling, scheduled for September. This step will further enhance the dam’s generating capacity and solidify its role as a key asset in Ethiopia’s energy infrastructure.
GERD, a flagship project for Ethiopia, is central to the country’s vision of economic development and energy security. The dam has been under construction since 2011 and, once fully completed, will not only provide a significant boost to Ethiopia’s power supply but also contribute to regional stability through energy trade.
The project has been closely monitored both domestically and internationally, given its scale and the implications for water resource management in the Nile Basin. As the dam continues to progress, it remains a focal point in Ethiopia’s strategy to become a regional energy hub, leveraging its natural resources to drive sustainable development.
