Ethiopia's GERD effect: More than a power source

This blog spotlights the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: completed in October 2024, after 13 years of work, this man-made infrastructure is a remarkable example of renewable energy. Located on the Blue Nile river in the North West of the country - close to the border with Sudan - the GERD is the largest hydroelectric dam in Africa and among the 20 largest in the world.

Powering Ethiopia

Ethiopia undertook this ambitious project to tackle long-standing energy shortages. Today, between 54% and 58% of the population has access to electricity—up significantly from previous levels when less than half the country was electrified. The GERD is a major stride toward addressing this gap and boosting national energy self-sufficiency.

Sustainable Flow

The Blue Nile, which merges with the White Nile in Khartoum, originates from Lake Tana—Ethiopia’s largest lake—and contributes a substantial portion of the Nile’s total flow. This made it an ideal site for the GERD. The dam creates a vast reservoir from which water flows through turbines, generating renewable hydroelectric power.

Hydroelectricity is a sustainable energy source. Unlike fossil fuels, it relies on naturally replenishing water cycles and produces no greenhouse gas emissions. Once built, hydroelectric dams typically have long lifespans and low maintenance costs, making them an efficient long-term investment.

Shared resources

Beyond its technical achievements, the GERD represents a significant step toward sustainable development in Africa. However, the project has also been a source of tension: although the Nile is a shared resource among Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt, the dam primarily serves Ethiopia.

While Sudan has come to appreciate the dam’s potential in regulating annual floods, Egypt—highly dependent on the Nile waters—has voiced strong concerns over potential impacts on its water supply.

Beyond the Dam

For the curious: while the dam itself is not typically open to tourists, the surrounding region of Amhara is home to many of Ethiopia’s hidden gems. Take for instance the Blue Nile Falls near Bahir Dar, locally known as “the Great Smoke” due to the mist they generate. They can be visited by hiking or by boat, especially during the rainy season from June to September. There's also Lake Tana, with its many islands and ancient monasteries, and the Blue Nile Gorge—one of the world’s deepest canyons—another opportunity for beautiful sceneries and hikes.