ADDIS ABABA, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has reached 98.66 percent completion, with six generating units currently in operation, the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported Saturday.

The progress update was announced as the Ethiopian government began its nine-month performance review session for the current 2024/2025 Ethiopian fiscal year which began on July 8, 2024.

Officials noted that the dam is nearing full completion and is playing a critical role in expanding the country's electricity generation and regional power supply.

During a parliamentary session last month, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said the mega dam would be inaugurated within six months, hailing it as a symbol of self-reliance and collective effort amid economic pressures.

Upon completion, the GERD will have a total generating capacity of 5,150 megawatts and is expected to produce 15,760 GWH of electricity annually, according to Ethiopian Electric Power.

Construction of the GERD began on the Nile River in April 2011. The project has been a longstanding source of tension between Ethiopia and downstream countries Sudan and Egypt. While Ethiopia views the dam as central to its development ambitions and pursuit of lower-middle-income status, Egypt and Sudan have voiced concerns over potential impacts on their water security. Enditem

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