Ethiopia will start the second phase of filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) this coming rainy season, according to Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy.
speaking at a meeting held in connection with the 10th anniversary of commencement of GERD today, Water, Irrigation and Energy Minister Sileshi Bekele said “we will fill the second phase of the dam reservoir without any reason in the coming rainy reason as per our milestones.”
Accordingly, additional 13.5 billion cubic meters will be retained in the months of July and August.
The minister added that Ethiopia is committed to conclude the trilateral negotiations under the auspices of African Union (AU).
Sileshi recalled that Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt began negotiations under the auspices of the African Union (AU) based on the principle of resolving Africa’s problems with African solutions.
Ethiopia had discussion with Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and briefed the delegation about Ethiopia’s position on the dam.
“Now we are waiting for the start of trilateral negotiations that will be led by DRC,” he stated.
Ethiopian Electric Power CEO, Asheber Balcha said on his part two turbines of GERD are expected to generate power in August, 2021.
Noting that the nation has lost huge amount of money due to delays on the dam, the CEO said activities are now intensified to complete the construction of this flagship project.
Currently, the overall construction of the dam has reached 79 percent, it was learned.
The day-long meeting brought together waters experts, scholars from higher education institutions and high government officials.
ENA