Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)

About GERD

• • Type: Mega hydroelectric project (2011–)
  • Location: Blue Nile River, Guba (Ethiopia), ~30 km from Sudan border

Significance:

• • Symbol of Ethiopia’s development & regional influence
  • Source of regional energy trade & power security
  • Contested by Egypt (water security concerns)

Key Features

• • Height: ~170 m | Length: ~2 km, Reservoir Capacity: 74 BCM (~1,874 km² area)
  • Power Output: 5,150–6,450 MW (largest in Africa), Sediment Trap: Designed to hold ~100 years of inflow

About Blue Nile River

• • Length: ~1,460 km (Ethiopia → Sudan → joins White Nile at Khartoum)
  • Origin: Lake Tana region, ~1,800 m altitude
  • Contribution: Provides ~70–85% of Nile waters
  • Major Tributaries: Dinder & Rahad Rivers

Strategic Importance:

• • Ethiopia → national pride & power generation
  • Egypt & Sudan → concerns over water rights & Nile dependence