International Panel of Experts on Grand Renaissance Dam launched

Addis Ababa, May 16 (WIC) - Ethiopia, with a promising annual economic growth of about 11 percent per annum, is striving to increase its energy supply substantially to keep its economic growth momentum.

According to ERTA, the remark was made by Ethiopia’s Minister of Water and Energy, Alemayehu Tegenu at an International Panel of Experts (IPoE) Meeting on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project held on Tuesday in Addis Ababa.

It has been over a year now since Ethiopia officially started constructing its grand renaissance dam over the river Nile. Ethiopia is implementing the grand project with the intention of bringing mutual benefits to the riparian countries.

To this end, it has become necessary to conduct an environmental impact assessment on the project shortly.

A launching meeting of an international panel of experts established for the cause was held on Tuesday in Addis Ababa. The meeting was held in the presence of senior Ethiopian government officials, ambassadors of Egypt and Sudan, international partners and academia.

Water and Energy Minister, Alemayehu Tegenu said the establishment of the IPoE is indicative of the commitment of Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan to develop the river for the common benefit of their peoples.

Egyptian ambassador to Ethiopia, Mohammed Edrees said the enthusiasm of the three countries to allow the formation of the IPoE is a demonstration of their mutual cooperation to exploit the Nile waters.

Sudanese ambassador to Ethiopia Abdelrahman Sirelkhatim on his part said Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam is the dream of all countries.

Cooperation over the River Nile is anticipated to be a milestone to manage the resource in a more resilient approach thereby enabling the riparian countries to meet their growing energy demand.