South Sudan is looking forward to becoming the first country to receive electricity from Africa’s largest hydroelectric project, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
Ethiopia officially inaugurated the dam on Tuesday, a
project expected to supply energy to millions of Ethiopians, with South Sudan
signing the first regional power deal.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir announced the agreement in his speech at the dam’s inauguration, citing the shared history, friendship, and future between the two countries.
“We believe that the progress of one nation is the progress
of all. Together, we can turn our challenges into opportunities for peace,
stability, and growth,” Kiir said.
“I am also pleased to announce that South Sudan is looking forward to signing an agreement to receive power from the dam. This will bring power to our towns, villages, schools, and hospitals, and open new opportunities for our people.”
The construction of the dam began in 2011. With its official inauguration today, its power generation is expected to rise up to 5,150 MW, up from the
750 MW currently produced by its two active turbines.