October 18, 2017 - The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), being built on the Nile, will start generating hydroelectric power in the current fiscal year, reports Ethiopian news agency. “The remaining 38 percent of the construction will be done while the dam is generating hydroelectric power", Debretsion Gebremichael, Board Chairman of the National Council for the Coordination of Public Participation for the Construction of GERD, said as quoted by the Ethiopian news agency.
The construction of the dam, which will be the largest in the continent and among the top ten in the world in terms of generating capacity, has reached 62 percent.
“Activities that would enable to fill the dam with water and generating power will be conducted”, he said.
According to him, professional who are engaged in the construction works of the dam are laboring from dawn to dusk to ensure the completion of the dam.
In addition to its contribution in meeting the country's power demand, Debretsion said the dam is "a symbol of unity, cooperation and commitment just like our flag", he said.
Up on completion, the dam, which was launched in 2011, will be Africa's largest with 6,450MW installed power generating capacity.
The grand dam, being built with an estimated cost of 4.7 billion USD, is expected to have a total volume of 74,000 cubic meters.
Expected to be completed with entirely domestic funds, the dam has been considered as a landmark project signaling Ethiopia's renaissance.
Source:- Ethiopian News agency