Ethiopia’s New Hydroelectric Dam

Ethiopia has held an opening ceremony for a new renewable energy project sited on its Omo River. The site will produce hydroelectricity, hopefully beyond Ethiopia’s own needs to the extent it can be distributed internationally. The country’s aim is to become recognised as a prime exporter of electricity, but there are those who believe that local ecosystems may be damaged at the same time.

Gibe Dam

The name of the new Ethiopian hydroelectric site is Gilbel Gibe II – the second of a whole series of interconnected Gibe structures planned to be built in this area. Construction on the first Gibe dam commenced in 1986 and was finished 18 years later. As a result of its placement, approximately 3,000 local residents were effectively displaced, but no further relocations are understood to have been needed for Gilbel Gibe II.

In terms of capacity, the first hydroelectric plant is capable of producing 184 Megawatts, while the second should be capable of 420 MW.

Dams in Ethiopia

By way of comparison, approximately 1,800 MW is predicted to come from the next plant – Gilbel Gibe III – and this will make it Africa’s largest hydroelectric facility.

Gilbel Gibe IV and V will complete the network, giving a total of five new dams in Ethiopia.

The water used by Gilbel Gibe II will come directly from its older brother, via an underground tunnel.

Ethiopia: Hydroelectricity

According to a BBC correspondent, a number of countries have already signed up to receive Ethiopia’s surplus hydroelectricity: Sudan, Djibouti and Kenya among them. If the electrical supply reaches anticipated levels, it will have the potential to become the most significant Ethiopian export over the coming ten years (coffee currently holds this position).

Following its inauguration, Gilbel Gibe II is expected to become operational in four months time – two months after the completion of the 27-kilometre-long connecting tunnel. Its opening ceremony attracted the presence of government officials, business leaders and media representatives alike.

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