GERD pivotal in ensuring Ethiopia’s economic sovereignty: EEP CEO

Addis Ababa, September 8, 2024 (FBC) – The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has made a significant contribution in ushering in a paradigm shift to ensure the country’s economic sovereignty, remarked Engineer Ashebir Balcha, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP).

September 8, 2024 (Pagumen 3, 2016, in the Ethiopian Calendar), designated as the Day of Sovereignty, is being marked across the country under the theme ‘Harmony in Ensuring All-Round Sovereignty”.

In his message to the people of Ethiopia on social media platform X, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that the name Ethiopia has always been associated, from time immemorial to date, with honor, glory, and freedom.

Mentioning that territorial sovereignty is not sufficient by itself, he stressed the need to ensure a new form of patriotism which encompasses strengthening all-round economic and technological sovereignty.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is a project in which national patriotism of the highest caliber has been vividly demonstrated.

Engineer Ashbir Balcha, CEO of Ethiopian Electric Power, said that GERD is a vivid demonstration of Ethiopia’s economic sovereignty and a pillar of its unity.

He recalled that four of the turbines built on the dam started generating electric power at the end of August, adding that when all 13 turbines begin operating, they will generate a total of 5,150 MW of hydroelectric power.

This will double the entire hydroelectric power that has been produced in the country over the last 70 years, demonstrating that GERD has become a major catalyst in promoting the country’s economic development by ensuring economic sovereignty.

Ashbir stressed that Ethiopian Electric Power is effectively discharging its responsibility of delivering electric power services to consumers by generating power from other projects besides GERD, including Koysha, Gibe 3, and other power generating sources, with efficiency and quality service delivery.

The CEO added that apart from generating foreign exchange for the country, his office has managed to ensure the national interest in the sector.

He further stated that producing and transmitting hydroelectric power to end users requires ensuring the safety and security of power transmission and distribution units constructed across the country, as reported by ENA.

Ashebir emphasized the importance of safeguarding electric power infrastructure in the country and called upon all citizens to contribute their part in protecting power structures and facilities from theft and misuse.