ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – In a significant development for regional hydroelectric power, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has inaugurated the 3rd and 4th turbines of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), advancing Ethiopia’s energy capabilities.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, Prime Minister Abiy highlighted that the project’s remaining units are progressing as planned. He also announced beneficial updates from the dam site in Guba for countries in the lower Abbay basin. The dam’s spillways have recently been opened, allowing an additional 2,800 cubic meters of water per second to flow, which continues even as the dam operates.

The GERD is instrumental in balancing water distribution, reducing flood risks, and ensuring consistent water supply to downstream nations, especially crucial during periods of drought. Prime Minister Abiy emphasized that the controlled release of water from the dam is set to substantially improve agricultural productivity, increase power generation capacity, and optimize resource management across the region.