Earlier, the project was stalled by construction delays and criticism from Cairo, which specifically expressed concern that Ethiopia's planned Grand Renaissance Dam would reduce the flow of freshwater from the River Nile to Egyptian territory. The €3.3 billion ($4 billion) Grand Renaissance Dam, the largest hydroelectric project in Africa, is due to start initial operations in December 2020, according to Ethiopian Water and Energy Minister Seleshi Bekele. The government expected the dam to be fully operational by the end of 2022", Bekele told the country's parliament. The Grand Renaissance Dam is being built on the Blue Nile, one of the tributaries of the river which has served as Egypt's main source of water for consumption, industry and farming since the dawn of history. Cairo has long worried that the dam may slash the flow of freshwater from the Nile to its territory.

Source: Ethiopian News January 04, 2019 06:49 UTC