Workers walking in front of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (Gerd)A controversial Ethiopian dam on the Blue Nile began generating electricity for the first time on Sunday, according to state television. The $4.2bn (£3.8bn) dam, located in the western region of Benishangul-Gumuz, has been a source of contention between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan since the start of its built in 2011. The so-called Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (Gerd) is Africa’s largest hydropower project to date. The Gerd is expected to generate more than 5,000 megawatts of electricity, doubling the country’s electricity production when fully completed. Ethiopia diverted water from the Nile to fill a vast reservoir behind the dam.

Source: Ethiopian News February 20, 2022 10:33 UTC