What is Ethiopia's biggest hydropower project?

Ethiopia opens Africa's largest hydropower project, the Blue Nile's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam — a milestone that's sparking alarm in neighboring Sudan and Egypt.

What is Ethiopia doing in East Africa?

She covers regional security, geopolitics, trade relations and foreign policy across East Africa. Ethiopia has inaugurated Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam to produce more than 5,000 megawatts and boost the electric vehicle industry in a country that has banned the importation of gasoline-powered vehicles.

Can Ethiopia become a regional energy hub?

Beyond addressing domestic energy needs, the project positions Ethiopia to become a regional energy hub, fostering economic growth and cooperation. The GERD is being constructed to achieve an average annual energy production of about 15,760 GWH, featuring a 1,780 m long and 145 m high Roller Compacted Concrete dam.

Why is EV development important in Ethiopia?

Supporting the domestic development of EVs is crucial to Ethiopia's strategic goals after it last year became the first country in the world to ban all imports of fuel-powered vehicles. Measured by power generation capacity, the GERD is the 15th biggest hydro-electric dam in the world.

How much power can Ethiopia produce without a dam?

Now, with all the turbines working, thoughts turn to what difference the power can make to Ethiopia. At full capacity it should generate 5,100MW of power - more than double what the country produces without the dam and enough to supply tens of millions more homes in the country.

Should Africa start importing electricity from Ethiopia?

Dozens of African nations, including Kenya, Tanzania and South Sudan, have expressed interest in starting or scaling up electricity imports from Ethiopia following the mega dam launch. Countries lying downstream, however, do not share the same optimism.