The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)  represents the most significant hydroelectric development completed in a developing country over the past three decades, distinguished by the scale of its engineering and its strategic importance for the region’s energy supply. Among the attendees were Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the President of Ethiopia with his cabinet, as well as the heads of state of South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, and Djibouti, together with the prime ministers of Eswatini and Barbados.

 The project consists of 13 Francis turbines, each rated at 400 MW, except for two early-generation units commissioned in 2022, each producing 375 MW. Installed at an elevation of 494 meters above sea level, the turbines harness water from a reservoir reaching 643 meters when full. The roller-compacted concrete dam, standing 145 meters high, contains 74 billion cubic meters of water, of which 65 billion are usable above dead storage. The Abbay River, a vital African watercourse, is thus regulated through a reservoir capable of capturing nearly its entire annual flow if required. Launched on December 31st, 2011, the GERD has reached completion after a challenging development process.

ELC Electroconsult has been honored to serve as consultant partner and Employer’s Representative since the project’s inception. Our role has included drafting bidding specifications, evaluating proposals, and assisting Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) in awarding the EPC contract to Salini Costruttori (now Webuild). A dedicated team, under a deputy project manager since 2015, has supported EEP through construction, commissioning, and now contract closure. Today, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is fully operational, providing Ethiopia and the region with a new foundation for energy security and development.