Nile Dam ″ Last Chance | Currently Africa

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is the largest hydropower plant in Africa, producing 6000 MW. Construction of the 1.8 km long and 145 m high dam began in 2011. Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s largest reservoir has begun to flood, and the dam is expected to be fully operational by 2023.

The foreign ministers of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan are now in talks about a giant dam on the Nile. Egyptian Foreign Minister Same Sukri said the talks in Kinshasa were the “last chance” for the three countries to reach an agreement before the start of talks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He told the Egyptian media that he should take advantage of this opportunity.

How much more water will come in Egypt, Cairo wonders?

The project is hopelessly divided

However, all negotiations so far have failed: both Egypt and Sudan are down, fearing for their water supply. With a population of over a hundred million, Egypt is almost entirely dependent on water from the Nile.

Ethiopia should therefore engage in mandatory obligations regarding the operation and storage volume of the Egypt and Sudan dams. Ethiopia argues that water flow to Egypt and Sudan will not be affected by the dam.

More intermediaries should help

At the beginning of the meeting in Kinshasa, Congolese President Felix Cicedi, who is also the President of the African Union (AU), said, “I urge all of you to seize every opportunity to open one or more windows of hope for a new beginning.

Sudan welcomed the African Union’s mediation initiative in March, but recently called on the United Nations, the European Union and the United States to join.

Permanent Diplomatic Construction Site: Ethiopia’s Mega Dam

Tremendous opportunities

This is where it is being built: the largest dam to supply electricity to Ethiopia and its neighbors. From 2022 – The project, which is expected to provide electricity using water from the Blue Nile, is expected to cost four billion US dollars. A grandiose plan that led to disputes and diplomatic conflicts with Egypt and Sudan. Because they are also water dependent.

Permanent Diplomatic Construction Site: Ethiopia’s Mega Dam

A colon made of concrete

The dam will be 145 meters high and about two kilometers long. The construction site will measure eleven square kilometers. Can’t wait for Ethiopia to finish. Nearly half of Ethiopian households currently have to go without electricity. For them, the structure would indicate a major improvement. The country wants to sell a significant portion of its electricity to neighboring countries.

Permanent Diplomatic Construction Site: Ethiopia’s Mega Dam

A vast landscape becomes a lake

In order for the water to develop sufficient strength, it must be turned off. “In a few years, the whole area will be flooded,” said mechanical engineer Abdu Yibria, pointing to the plain. The reservoir should hold 74 billion cubic meters of water. Ethiopia wants to fill the artificial lake quickly, but its neighbors are reluctant to do so.

Permanent Diplomatic Construction Site: Ethiopia’s Mega Dam

Conflict between Nile states

Ethiopia wants to fill the reservoir within the next seven years. Egypt has been calling for 21 years. The country fears the river’s water level will drop sharply once Ethiopia begins operating the dam. In fact if there is a water shortage or drought, Ethiopia should guarantee Egyptian water availability. Attempts to mediate all discussions have so far failed.

Permanent Diplomatic Construction Site: Ethiopia’s Mega Dam

Where is the solution here?

During his visit to South Africa, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abi Ahmed sought the help of the President there. Cyril Ramaphosa is set to mediate in the protracted crisis between Ethiopia and Egypt. Ramaphosa will take over as the rotating president of the African Union this month. The current AU leader cannot be asked by Abijah: this is the president of Egypt.

Permanent Diplomatic Construction Site: Ethiopia’s Mega Dam

Work up to 50 degrees Celsius

While negotiations are underway, work on the mega construction site continues. 6000 people work around the clock, mostly in the heat. During the warmer months, the temperature rises to 50 degrees Celsius.

Permanent Diplomatic Construction Site: Ethiopia’s Mega Dam

At the future power station

The welding machines are fully operational: the next step is to insert the two parts of the turbine into one of the two power stations. Arrangements for this are in full swing. The first turbines should be ready for use by mid-2021.

Permanent Diplomatic Construction Site: Ethiopia’s Mega Dam

Driver for mega project

The turbine is to be installed here. A total of 13 pieces are planned at two power plants on both banks. The power plants of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam are expected to generate 15,000 gigawatts of electricity per year. The plant will then be as strong as connecting three major hydropower plants in Africa.

Permanent Diplomatic Construction Site: Ethiopia’s Mega Dam

Delays and charges

First the dam had to be built. But allegations of mismanagement and corruption prolonged the construction phase. The first part was completed in November last year: the wall of the reservoir is located in another part of Ethiopia and covers the retention bed.

Permanent Diplomatic Construction Site: Ethiopia’s Mega Dam

Overview

After the dam the water goes down this path. The Blue Nile flows from here to Sudan and Egypt. How strong the present people will be in the future – it depends on the forthcoming negotiations and the mediation between Ethiopia and Egypt. However, Egypt has already announced that it wants to buy Ethiopian electricity.

Author: Maria Kerth-Niculescu, Friedrich M முller-Jung