Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: Difference between revisions

| name = Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

| name_official = {{ubl|{{lang-en|Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam|link=yes}}|{{lang-am|ታላቁ የኢትዮጵያ ህዳሴ ግድብ}}|{{Lang-om|Hidha Guddicha Haaromsa Itoophiyaa}}}}

| image =

| image_caption = The main dam after first filling

| image_alt =

| location_map_caption =

| coordinates = {{coord|11|12|55|N|35|05|35|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

| country = [[Ethiopia]]

| location = Guba, [[Benishangul-Gumuz Region]]

| purpose = Power

| status = UC

| construction_began = 2 April 2011

| opening = 21 July 2020<ref name=bbcnews-celebrations/>

| cost = $5 billion [[USD]]

| owner = [[Ethiopian Electric Power]]

| dam_type = Gravity, [[roller-compacted concrete]]

| dam_crosses = [[Blue Nile River]]

| dam_height_thalweg =

| dam_length = {{Convert|1780|m|abbr=on}}

| dam_elevation_crest = {{Convert|655|m|abbr=on}}

| dam_width_crest =

| dam_width_base =

| dam_volume = {{Convert|10200000|m3|cuyd|abbr=on}}

| spillway_count = 1 gated, 2 ungated

| spillway_type = 6 sector gates for the gated spillway

| spillway_capacity = {{Convert|14700|m3/s|ft3/s|abbr=on}} for the gated spillway

| res_name = Millennium Reservoir

| res_capacity_total = {{Convert|74|e9m3|acre.ft|abbr=on}}

| res_capacity_active = {{Convert|59.2|e9m3|acre.ft|abbr=on}}

| res_catchment = {{Convert|172250|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}

| res_surface = {{Convert|1874|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}

| res_max_length = {{Convert|246|km|abbr=on}}

| res_max_width =

| res_max_depth = {{Convert|140|m|abbr=on}}

| res_elevation = {{Convert|640|m|abbr=on}}

| res_tidal_range =

| plant_operator = [[Ethiopian Electric Power]]

| plant_commission = 2022–?<ref name=bbc/>

| plant_decommission =

| plant_type = C

| plant_hydraulic_head =

| plant_turbines = {{ubl|1311 x 400 MW|2 x 375 MW|[[Francis turbine]]s}}

| plant_capacity = {{ubl|375750 MW (operational)|{{nowrap|65.45015 [[Megawattgigawatt|MWGW]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hydropower.org/sediment-management-case-studies/ethiopia-grand-ethiopian-renaissance-dam-gerd|title=Ethiopia-Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERDfinal)|website=hydropower.org}}}}<ref name=eza/ref> (under construction)}}}}

| plant_annual_gen = 15,76 [[GWh]] (est.,&nbsp;planned)<ref name=poma/>

| website = {{URL|https://www.hidasse.gov.et/}}

| extra =

| location_map = Ethiopia

| location_map_size =

| dam_height = {{Convert|145|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=hidasse-aboutdam/>

It will take between 4 and 7 years to fill with water,<ref>{{cite book|title=The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Gets Set to Open|url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-55912-0_12|publisher=Ethiopian Yearbook of International Law 2019|access-date=13 February 2021|date=13 February 2021|doi=10.1007/978-3-030-55912-0_12|isbn=9783030559120|s2cid=232321212}}</ref> depending on hydrologic conditions during the filling period.<ref name="Wheeler 611–634">{{cite journal |last1=Wheeler |first1=Kevin G. |last2=Basheer |first2=Mohammed |last3=Mekonnen |first3=Zelalem T. |last4=Eltoum |first4=Sami O. |last5=Mersha |first5=Azeb |last6=Abdo |first6=Gamal M. |last7=Zagona |first7=Edith A. |last8=Hall |first8=Jim W. |last9=Dadson |first9=Simon J. |title=Cooperative filling approaches for the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam |journal=Water International |date=6 June 2016 |volume=41 |issue=4 |pages=611–634 |doi=10.1080/02508060.2016.1177698 |doi-access=free }}</ref> The second phase of filling was completed on 19 July 2021, without any binding agreement with [[Egypt]] and [[Sudan]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=22 July 2021|title=People's Dam Impounded, GERD-Locked Diplomacy, and Egypt's Red Line for a Non-Deferent Ethiopia|url=https://geopoliticspress.com/gerd-electricity-export-tailrace-penstock-nis-kdf/|access-date=23 July 2021|website=Geopolitics Press}}</ref> The third filling was completed on the 12 August 2022 to a level of {{convert|600|m}}, {{cvt|25|m}} higher than the prior year completed second fill.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

On 20 February 2022, the dam produced [[electricity]] for the first time, delivering it to the grid at a rate of 375 MW.<ref name=bbc>{{Cite news|date=20 February 2022|title=Ethiopia starts generating power from River Nile dam|language=en-GB|work=[[BBC News]]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-60451702|access-date=20 February 2022}}</ref> Second 375 MW turbine was commissioned in August 2022.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-08-11 |title=Ethiopia announces that second turbine in GERD is in operation |url=https://www.africanews.com/2022/08/11/ethiopia-announces-that-second-turbine-in-gerd-is-in-operation/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=Africanews |language=en}}</ref>

Egypt, located over {{convert|2,500|km}} downstream of the site, opposes the dam, which it believes will reduce the amount of water available from the Nile.<ref name=eza>{{cite news|title=Egypt Stays Opposed to Ethiopia's Grand Millennium Dam Project |url= http://www.ezega.com/News/NewsDetails.aspx?Page=heads&NewsID=2847 |access-date=19 April 2011 |newspaper=EZega |date=11 April 2011}}</ref> Zenawi argued, based on an unnamed study, that the dam would not reduce water availability downstream and would also regulate water for irrigation.<ref name="Business" /> In May 2011, it was announced that Ethiopia would share blueprints for the dam with Egypt so that the downstream impact could be examined.<ref>{{cite news |title=Egypt approves of Ethiopia's Renaissance Dam in principle |url=http://www.ethiopian-news.com/egypt-approves-ethiopia%E2%80%99s-renaissance-dam-principle/ |access-date=29 May 2011 |newspaper=Ethiopia News |date=16 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521101455/http://www.ethiopian-news.com/egypt-approves-ethiopia%E2%80%99s-renaissance-dam-principle/ |archive-date=21 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The potential impacts of the dam have been the source of severe regional controversy.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Walsh |first1=Decian |last2=Sengupta |first2=Somini |last3=Boushnak |first3=Laura |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/02/09/world/africa/nile-river-dam.html |title=For Thousands of Years, Egypt Controlled the Nile. A New Dam Threatens That |website=The New York Times |date=9 February 2020 |access-date=10 February 2020}}</ref> The Government of Egypt, a country which relies heavilydepends on thefhe watersNile offor theabout Nile97 % if its irrigation and drinking water,<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |title=First power production at the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam |journal=Hydropower & Dams |volume=29 |issue=2 |pages=3}}</ref> has demanded that Ethiopia cease construction on the dam as a precondition to negotiations, has sought regional support for its position, and some political leaders have discussed methods to sabotage it.<ref name=postdes>{{cite news|title=Ethiopia official labels Egyptian attack proposals over new Nile River dam 'day dreaming'|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/ethiopia-official-labels-egyptian-attack-proposals-over-new-nile-river-dam-day-dreaming/2013/06/05/fd340e10-cdc6-11e2-8573-3baeea6a2647_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606172030/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/ethiopia-official-labels-egyptian-attack-proposals-over-new-nile-river-dam-day-dreaming/2013/06/05/fd340e10-cdc6-11e2-8573-3baeea6a2647_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 June 2013|access-date=7 June 2013|newspaper=Washington Post|date=5 June 2013}}</ref> Egypt has planned a diplomatic initiative to undermine support for the dam in the region as well as in other countries supporting the project such as China and Italy.<ref name=UPI1>{{cite news|title=Egypt plans dam-busting diplomatic offensive against Ethiopia|url=http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Energy-Resources/2014/02/27/Egypt-plans-dam-busting-diplomatic-offensive-against-Ethiopia/UPI-13631393533111/|access-date=3 March 2014|newspaper=UPI|date=27 February 2014}}</ref> However, other nations in the [[Nile Basin Initiative]] have expressed support for the dam, including Sudan, the only other nation downstream of the Blue Nile, although Sudan's position towards the dam has varied over time.<ref name="wapo_16_07_21">{{cite news |last1=Marks |first1=Simon |last2=Gebre |first2=Samuel |title=Why Ethiopia's Mega-Dam Has Its Neighbors Fuming |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/energy/why-ethiopias-mega-dam-has-its-neighbors-fuming/2021/07/07/dedf7692-df11-11eb-a27f-8b294930e95b_story.html |access-date=18 July 2021 |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |date=16 July 2021 |quote=During Omar al-Bashir’s rule, Sudan accepted Ethiopia’s assurances that the dam would help control flooding and that Sudan would benefit from the power generated. Since al-Bashir was toppled in 2019, Sudan has aligned itself with Egypt, saying the Nile is joint property and an agreement must be reached before the reservoir can be filled.}}</ref> In 2014, Sudan accused Egypt of inflaming the situation.<ref name=STribune>{{cite news|title=Sudan Foreign Minister Criticises Egypt Over Ethiopian Dam Dispute|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201402191185.html?page=2|access-date=3 March 2014|newspaper=Sudan Tribune}}</ref>

The design changed several times between 2011 and 20172019. This affected both the electrical parameters and the storage parameters.

That was achieved by upgrading 14 of the 16 generating units from 375&nbsp;MW to 400&nbsp;MW without changing the nominal capacity.<ref name= "Gebremichael">{{cite web|url= http://thereporterethiopia.com/content/nuts-and-bolts-ethiopian-power-sector |title= Nuts and bolts of Ethiopian power sector |date=4 March 2017|access-date=7 September 2017|newspaper=Reporter Ethiopia}}</ref> According to a senior Ethiopian official, on 17 October 2019,<ref name=poma>{{Cite web|title=Power Generation Capacity of GERD Slashed to 5150MW – Ethiopian Minister|url=https://www.ezega.com/News/NewsDetails/7331/Power-Generation-Capacity-of-GERD-Slashed-to-5150MW-Ethiopian-Minister|access-date=2022-02-20|website=www.ezega.com|language=en}}</ref> the power generation capacity of the GERD is now 5,150 MW, with 13 turbines (2x 375 MW and 11x 400 MW)<ref name=":3" /> down from 16 turbines.

In 2013, an Independent Panel of Experts (IPoE) assessed the dam and its technological parameters. At that time, the reservoir sizes were changed already. The size of the reservoir at full supply level went up to {{Convert|1874|km2|mi2|abbr= on}}, and increase of {{cvt|194|km2}}. The storage volume at full supply level had increased to {{Convert|74|km3|acre.ft|abbr=on}}, an increase of {{cvt|7|km3}}.<ref name= "IPOE2013">{{cite web|url= https://www.internationalrivers.org/sites/default/files/attached-files/international_panel_of_experts_for_ethiopian_renaissance_dam-_final_report_1.pdf |title= International Panel of Experts on Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Project (GERDP) – Final Report|date= 31 May 2013|access-date=28 August 2017|publisher= International rivers}}</ref> These numbers did not change after 2013. The storage volume of {{Convert|74|km3|acre.ft|abbr=on}} is representing nearly entire {{Convert|84|km3|acre.ft|abbr=on}} annual flow of Nile.<ref name=":3" />

After the IPoE made its recommendations, in 2013, the dam parameters were changed to account for higher flow volumes in case of extreme floods: a main dam height of {{Convert |155|m|abbr=on}}, and increase of {{cvt|10|m}} with a length of {{Convert |1780|m|abbr=on}} (no change) and a dam volume of {{convert|10.2|e6m3}}, and increase of {{cvt|100000|m3}}. The outlet parameters did not change, only the crest of the main dam was raised. The rock saddle dam went up to a height of {{Convert|50|m|abbr=on}}, and increase of {{convert|5|m}} with a length of {{Convert|5200|m|abbr=on}}, and increase of {{convert|400|m}}. The volume of the rock saddle dam increased to {{convert|16.5|e6m3}}, and increase of {{convert|1.5|e6m3}}.<ref name="IPOE2013" /><ref name="salinides">{{cite web |title=Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Project |url=http://www.salini-impregilo.com/lavori/in-corso/dighe-impianti-idroelettrici/grand-ethiopian-renaissance-dam-project.html |access-date=17 January 2014 |publisher=Salini}}</ref>

Flanking either side of the auxiliary ungated spillway at the center of the dam will be two [[power station|power houses]]., The rightthat will containbe 10equipped with 2 x 375 MW [[Francis turbine]]-generators, theand left power house will house 611 x 375 MW of the same turbine-generators. 14 of the 16 turbine-generators have been upgraded to 400&nbsp;MW without changing the nameplate capacity (which is still at 375&nbsp;MW), while two turbine-generators remained at 375&nbsp;MWturbines.<ref name=salinides>{{cite web|title=Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Project|url=http"://www.salini-impregilo.com/lavori/in-corso/dighe-impianti-idroelettrici/grand-ethiopian-renaissance-dam-project.html|publisher=Salini|access-date= 17 January 2014}}</ref><ref name= "Gebremichael3" /> The total installed capacity with all turbine-generators will be 65,450150&nbsp;MW. The average annual flow of the Blue Nile being available for power generation is expected to be {{Convert|1547|m3/s|ft3/s|abbr=on}},<ref name= "IPOE2013" /> which gives rise to an annual expectation for power generation of 16,153&nbsp;GWh, corresponding to a plant load factor (or [[capacity factor]]) of 28.6%.

Two non-upgraded turbine-generators with 375&nbsp;MW each are thewere first to go into operation with 750&nbsp;MW delivered to the national power grid., Thiswhile earlythe powerfirst generationturbine will startwas wellcommissioned beforein theFerbuary completion2022<ref ofname="bbc" the/> dam, whenand the fillingsecon ofone thein reservoirAugust commences2022.<ref name=":2" /> The two units sit within the 10 unit powerhouse to the right side of the dam at the auxiliary spillway. They are fed by two special intakes within the dam structure that are located at a height of {{Convert|540|m|abbr=on}} above sea level. It is foreseen, thatThat power generation can startstarted at a water level of {{Convert|560|m|abbr=on}}, {{Convert|30|m|abbr=on}} below the minimum operating level of the other 1411 turbine-generators. At that level, the reservoir has been filled with roughly {{Convert|5.5|km3|abbr=on}} of water, which corresponds to roughly 11% of the annual inflow of {{Convert|48.8|km3|abbr=on}}. During the rainy season, this is expected to happen within days to weeks. The first stage filling of the reservoir for early generation was completed on 20 July 2020.<ref>[https://apnews.com/600710323bb9bb4427a3d3b9a3115bae Satellite images show Ethiopia dam reservoir swelling], AP News.</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |user=afp |number= 1285629889530466304 |date= 22 July 2020 |title= Ethiopia says first year of Nile mega-dam filling 'achieved'}}</ref>

The main contractor is the [[Italy|Italian]] company [[Webuild]] (formerly Salini Impregilo), which also served as primary contractor for the [[Gilgel Gibe II Power Station|Gilgel Gibe II]], [[Gilgel Gibe III Dam|Gilgel Gibe III]], and [[Beles Hydroelectric Power Plant|Tana Beles]] dams. [[Simegnew Bekele]] was the project manager of GERD from the start of construction in 2011 up to [[Simegnew Bekele#Death|his death]] on 26 July 2018. In October same year he was replaced by Kifle Horo. The dam is expected to require 10 million cubic meters of concrete. The government has pledged to use only domestically produced concrete. In March 2012, Salini awarded the Italian firm [[Tratos Cavi SPA]] a contract to supply low- and high-voltage cable for the dam.<ref name=salinides/><ref>{{cite web|title=Tratos wins contract for 6,800 MW Ethiopian project|url=http://www.hydroworld.com/articles/2012/02/tratos-wins-contract.html|publisher=HydroWorld.com|access-date=12 April 2013|date=2 March 2012}}</ref> [[Alstom]] will provide the eight 375 MW [[Francis turbine]]s for the project's first phase, at a cost of €250 million.<ref>Alstom:[http://www.alstom.com/press-centre/2013/1/alstom-to-supply-hydroelectric-equipment-for-the-grand-renaissance-dam-in-ethiopia/ Alstom to supply hydroelectric equipment for the Grand Renaissance dam in Ethiopia], 7 January 2013</ref> As of April 2013, nearly 32 percent of the project was complete. Site excavation and some concrete placement was underway. One concrete batch plant has been completed with another under construction.<ref>{{cite web|title=Current Project Status|url=http://www.hidasse.gov.et/web/guest/project-status/-/asset_publisher/7yX7/content/damstatus|publisher=Office of National Council for the Coordination of Public Participation on the Construction of the Grand Renaissance Dam|access-date=12 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226140236/http://www.hidasse.gov.et/web/guest/project-status/-/asset_publisher/7yX7/content/damstatus|archive-date=26 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Diversion of the Blue Nile was completed on 28 May 2013 and marked by a ceremony the same day.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ethiopia: Blue Nile Diversion Allows Dam Construction to Continue|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201306030197.html|publisher=allAfrica|access-date=23 June 2013|date=29 May 2013}}</ref> By January 2016 the dam had 4 million cubic meters of concrete poured, and the installation of the first two turbines was imminent. The first power production of 750 MW was slated for sometime later that year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ethiopia: Nile dam set to generate power, Ethiopia to consult Egypt, Sudan ahead|url=http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article57757|publisher=Sudan Tribune|access-date=20 February 2016|date=21 January 2016}}</ref>