Ethiopia’s controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has significantly increased its electricity production, according to the dam’s operators.
With the addition of two new turbines, the dam is now generating 1,550 megawatts of power.
The GERD, a multi-billion-dollar project on the Blue Nile, has been a source of tension between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan.
Ethiopia has long insisted that the dam is essential for its development, while Egypt and Sudan have expressed concerns about its impact on their water supplies.
Despite ongoing negotiations, the three countries have yet to reach a definitive agreement on the dam’s operation.
Egypt, in particular, has warned that the dam could pose an existential threat to its water security.
Ethiopia, however, maintains that the GERD will not reduce the flow of water downstream and has emphasized its benefits for flood control and water management.
As the dam continues to expand its capacity, Ethiopia aims to become a regional energy hub and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.