Ethiopia Launches "Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam" Amid Rising Tensions with Egypt and Sudan

SadaNews Economy - Ethiopia officially inaugurated today, Tuesday, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which is considered the largest hydroelectric power facility in Africa, at a cost exceeding 5 billion dollars. This opening comes despite strong objections from Egypt and Sudan, which see the dam as a direct threat to their vital water interests.

The project, located on the Blue Nile, deepens regional disputes, especially with Egypt downstream, which views it as an existential threat that could impact its share of water, particularly during dry periods. Cairo has long rejected the dam since its inception in 2011, considering it a violation of historical agreements dating back to the British colonial era.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described the dam as a "chance for joint development," emphasizing that the generated electricity will be used to improve the lives of citizens, with surplus exported to neighboring countries. Meanwhile, an advisor to the Ethiopian Minister of Water and Energy noted that Ethiopia seeks to reassure neighboring countries through serious negotiations.

In contrast, Egypt stressed its commitment to its right to take "all necessary measures" to protect its water interests, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry's spokesperson, Tamim Khalaf, confirmed that Cairo is closely monitoring developments on the Blue Nile and will not hesitate to defend its people's rights.

As for Sudan, it has called for reaching a binding legal agreement regarding the mechanisms for filling and operating the dam, expressing readiness to benefit from cheap energy and improve flood management.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which was initially budgeted at 4 billion dollars, has a massive storage capacity of 74 billion cubic meters, with a width of 1.8 kilometers and a height of 145 meters. Since the laying of its foundation stone, the project has become a focal point for intense geopolitical conflict in the Nile Basin region, amid fears that it may pave the way for additional dams to be constructed upstream.