The construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam has reached 78.3 percent

Ministry of Water, Energy, and Irrigation said over $150 million was generated from electric power export and used equipment during the past six months of the Ethiopian budget year.

Briefing the media today, Water, Energy and Irrigation Minister Silesh Bekele said the revenue was generated by exporting electric power to neighboring countries and selling some used equipment.

According to him, the ministry has also been executing 15 substitution works to generate electricity from geothermal power, solar power and dams, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). 

With respect to water, he stated that the ministry has managed to provide clean water for 1.4 million people across the country during the past 6 months.

The ministry has also executed 13 projects that irrigate a total of 137,000 hectares of land  during the same period in the fiscal year.

He further noted that the ministry has been working jointly with Ministry of Agriculture to develop wheat through irrigation in order to substitute billions of Birr worth wheat import every year.

As part of the six month performance, Silesh reported that the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam ( GERD ) has reached 78.3 percent.

This is a rapid increase in the construction of the Renaissance Dam, and 91 percent of the civil works have been completed, he pointed out.

Of the total 13 power-generating turbines, two will start production this coming rainy season.

Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy, Dr. Sileshi Bekele said Ethiopia will continue its efforts to resolve disputes over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam through dialogue.

In the mean time, Dr. Sileshi has spent time with Al Jazeera Arabic.

He said Ethiopia is committed to resolving disputes over the dam through dialogue.

He said Ethiopia wants to continue the negotiations on the dam, but on the contrary, complex and unnecessary issues are not acceptable in the case of the dam.

He said most part of the negotiation on technical issues with the lower riparian countries has been agreed upon.

Regarding the tripartite talks being held by the African Union on the dam, he said Ethiopia is working to continue the negotiations with the Union. He noted that Sudan had suspended talks seven times in the past seven months. He said rumors that Ethiopia had disrupted the talks were false.

He further added that it would not be acceptable to include any article that violates Ethiopia’s right to further development. He said the dam is a project to ensure economic and social benefits in the region. Adding, the completion of the dam will alleviate the problems of Ethiopians who lack energy supply.

ENA