Works on GERD reach 60 percent

Addis Ababa, August 7, 2017 (FBC) – About 60 percent of works on the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam (GERD) have been completed, according to the Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP).

Dr Debretsion Gebremicheal, Minister of Communication and Information Technology as well as Management Board Chair of EEP, visited the progress of the project recently.

After the visit, the Minister held discussion with heads of the two contractors and consultants on current progress of the dam and future plans, according to a report by ENA.

The heads on the occasion told Dr Debretsion that “the workers and the contractors were fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to them by the public and the government by maintaining the progress of the project as per scheduled.”

Appreciating the progress of the project, the Minister for his part said that “the dam is nearing to enter into power generation phase.”

GERD is being financed by Ethiopians and foreign nationals of Ethiopian origin.

The installed hydropower generation capacity of GERD has increased to 6450MW, with generator upgrades.

Initially designed to generate 5250MW, with the power plant upgrades, the dam’s generation capacity was raised to 6000MW. Six years later, the capacity was increased by an additional 450MW.