Ethiopia’s multi-billion-rand hydroelectric project based by the Nile river has begun generating electricity.
The Ethiopian government stated that the new dam – dubbed the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (Gerd) will transform and accelerate their economic development.
The dam is located in western Benishangul-Gumuz, and sits at 83.9% completion. When completed the dam will be the biggest hydroelectric project in Africa, according to BBC.
Gerd has been in the making since 2011, and became a bone of contention between Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt, all of whom rely on the Nile as a primary water source. Ethiopia has been diverting water from the Nile to fill the reservoir behind the dam. This raised concern about the water levels flowing into Egypt, according to Reuters.
Sudan shares these concerns, and negotiations to find a middle ground have been unsuccessful, with no party willing to compromise their share of Nile water.
Picture: Screenshot from video
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