GERD reaches 76.35% completion: MoWIE

Addis Ababa, October 10, 2020 (FBC) –The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project has reached 76.35% completion, said the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy (MoWIE).

Dr Seleshi Bekele, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy today briefed journalists on his ministry’s quarterly performance in areas of access to safe water and sanitation, irrigation and energy.

Performance of the project increased by 2.5% to 76.35% in the first quarter owing to efforts made to enable the dam to start generating power with two turbines this Ethiopian fiscal year (2020/21), he said.

As per the plan, the two turbines will begin generating power this fiscal year, the Minister confirmed.

Dr Seleshi further stated that the recent decision by the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority banning all flights over the dam is intended to avoid security threat.

In his briefing, the Minister described the quarterly performance achievements in access to safe water and sanitation as well as electricity as encouraging, according to EBC.