Graphic shows details of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project.
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AFRICA

Nile powers aim to reach agreement on Ethiopia dam

January 9, 2020 - The foreign ministers of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan are aiming to settle a long-running feud over a massive dam project on the Nile River, which has raised fears of conflict over scarce water resources.

Officials from the three countries began a new round of negotiations on Wednesday in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. The parties are expected to meet in Washington D.C. on January 15 to come up with a final agreement on how Nile River water will be shared once the dam becomes operational.

The project, called the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), is around 70 percent complete and promises to provide much needed electricity for Ethiopia’s people. However, Egyptian officials are concerned that filling the reservoir behind the dam could significantly reduce the amount of Nile water available to Egypt.

Ethiopia has said it will start filling the reservoir in 2020, although construction, which began in 2011, has been hit by delays.

The dam will be the largest hydroelectric power plant in Africa when completed, with a projected capacity of more than 6,000 megawatts.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 09/01/2020; STORY: Graphic News
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