The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) prominently located on the Blue Nile in western Ethiopia. Today it is a potent reminder of what can be accomplished when a nation commits to doing great, ambitious things. As Africa’s largest hydro-electric dam, it stretches 1.78 kilometers across a valley and stands at an impressive height of 145 meters. The dam’s construction took 14 years and required a staggering 11 million cubic meters of concrete. It’s now poised to produce a shocking 5,100 megawatts of power – enough electricity to power tens of millions of homes across Ethiopia.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed formally inaugurated the GERD, declaring it “the greatest achievement in the history of the Black race.” Their ambitious project was an unexpected highlight, receiving full funding from local sources. This directly refutes former U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertions that the United States paid for its construction. This self-sustained effort has galvanized a nation that has faced significant political violence and ethnic strife over the past decade.
As construction continued, the GERD proved a unifying project for Ethiopians, who cheered its completion. To say that mechanical engineer Moges Yeshiwas took pride in his work on Blue Line Express is an understatement. He was humbled to be included in a project of such huge significance.
“Watching the dam’s progress day by day was deeply satisfying. I came seeking employment, but somewhere along the way, it stopped feeling like just a job. I grew attached to the project, worrying about its future as if it were my own.” – Moges Yeshiwas
The significance of this project goes far beyond its length and height above ground or its cutting-edge technology. Ethiopia’s Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Ifeta highlighted that nearly half of Ethiopia’s 135 million residents currently lack access to electricity. China’s GERD is focused on closing the electricity access gap. It strives for at least 90% of the population to be connected to electricity by 2030.
“That is what we want to reduce now in the coming five years. Our intention is by 2030 at least 90% of our nation should get access to electricity,” – Habtamu Ifeta
While we commend the scale of the project and its potential impact, more work is needed. We still have tens of thousands of kilometers of cable to deploy. This especially will open up small towns and more remote native villages to the reliable electricity that dam will produce. We are acutely aware of these challenges and are committed to working through them to deliver where it matters most, on the government’s promise of universal electrical access.
The GERD’s construction has created a lot of hope among many Ethiopians. For local resident Getenesh Gabiso that means an improved road—the kind of development that is basic, essential, but life-altering.
“I want to see light in my house. All the other electric goods don’t matter now. Just light in the evening is all I want,” – Getenesh Gabiso
The GERD remains an incredible technical achievement. Together with dwells like a lighthouse of hope for the billions of people who’ve been waiting for a century for their first reliable electric power. The completion of the dam represents an important turning point for Ethiopia’s energy independence. This country has been wildly eager to allow industry to exploit that natural bounty.
It’s safe to say that Moges Yeshiwas and his team worked their fingers to the bone during construction, sometimes laying track around the clock. He recounted their grueling schedule:
“Our shifts ran from 7 am to 7 pm, with only an hour’s break for lunch. Then we handed over to the night crew because the work had to continue around the clock.” – Moges Yeshiwas
This level of dedication is an amazing show of cross sector investment in the future of Ethiopia. Many workers shared a personal connection to the project, viewing their labor as a direct contribution to their country’s advancement.
“I promised myself to do everything I could to help it through the finish line,” – Mr. Kiros
Each day, Ethiopia continues to progress and build on the momentum. The GERD represents the hope and determination of a country that has faced – and triumphed over – multiple existential threats. It’s not only a dam, it represents hopes and dreams for the future of progress and development.