Ethiopia announced on Sunday that it has successfully completed the fourth and final phase of filling the reservoir for its massive hydroelectric power plant, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which has been a source of contention between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan. The construction of the $4 billion GERD project began in 2011 and Ethiopia views it as vital for its economic development.
With a projected capacity of over 6,000 megawatts, Ethiopia sees the GERD as a crucial component of its ambition to become Africa's leading power exporter. However, Egypt and Sudan have expressed deep concerns that the dam poses a significant threat to their valuable water resources.
In a tweet on Sunday, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office celebrated the completion of the reservoir filling, stating, "Congratulations to all on the fourth filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Our national perseverance against all odds has delivered." This announcement comes after years of protracted negotiations between the three countries regarding the dam's construction, filling, and operation.
In July, there was a glimmer of hope for a breakthrough when Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Prime Minister Abiy agreed on plans to finalize an agreement on the filling and operation of the dam. However, Egypt's foreign ministry expressed concern over Ethiopia's recent actions, saying that it puts additional strain on the ongoing negotiations. Egypt hopes that the next round of talks will bring about tangible progress and a resolution to the long-standing dispute.
The completion of the reservoir filling marks a significant milestone for Ethiopia's ambitious dam project. However, the concerns and tensions surrounding the GERD still loom large, and further negotiations and compromises will be necessary to address the concerns of all parties involved and ensure the fair distribution of the Nile River's waters.