Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) was officially inaugurated today, marking a significant milestone as the largest hydropower project in Africa. The project, designed and constructed by the Italian engineering group Webuild, boasts an installed capacity of over 5,000 MW and an annual output of 15,700 GWh, equivalent to the energy produced by three medium-sized nuclear power plants. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and other African leaders who share Ethiopia’s vision for growth and unity.
Commissioned by Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP), the GERD is hailed as one of the most ambitious global infrastructure projects, featuring a reservoir that stretches 172 kilometers and holds up to 74 billion cubic meters of water. Standing 170 meters tall and spanning 1,800 meters at its crest, it holds the record as Africa’s largest roller-compacted concrete gravity dam, having required 10.7 million cubic meters of concrete.
Webuild noted that the project’s construction team set a world record on December 28, 2014, by laying 23,000 cubic meters of concrete in just 24 hours, showcasing exceptional engineering capabilities. Beyond energy production, the GERD has spurred local development, leading to the establishment of a new town with essential services like a hospital, schools, and sports facilities.
Employing over 25,000 workers during construction, the project has equipped many Ethiopians with valuable skills for future endeavors. Webuild emphasized its long-standing partnership with Ethiopia, having completed 30 projects in over 70 years, particularly in the hydropower sector, and reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable infrastructure. The inauguration of the GERD not only represents a turning point for Ethiopia but also underscores Webuild’s leadership in delivering complex and sustainable infrastructure projects globally.