Ethiopia to Construct Nile River Hydro Dam

The Ethiopian Government is to build a dam along the Nile River to generate hydropower and increase electricity production, according to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

The dam will be built in the western region of Benishangul, near Egypt’s border with Sudan, and is expected to be complete within five to ten years.

According to the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation’s plan, the dam will generate 5,000MW of power.

The country aims to produce 15,000MW of power within ten years, and will invest $12bn over 25 years to improve its power generation, according to Reuters.

Another five hydropower dams are being constructed in the country, some of which are funded by the World Bank.

Power demand in Africa is projected to rise by 150,000MW between 2007 and 2030, according to the International Energy Agency.