Ethiopia's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has surpassed expectations, with its sixth turbine, Unit 6, generating 401.26 MW exceeding its 400 MW rating by 100.32%. This milestone is attributed to optimized turbine performance, precision engineering, and seamless grid integration.
The achievement follows a series of pre-commissioning tests and adds significantly to Ethiopia's power generation capacity. Turbine No. 5 is also in its final commissioning phase and expected to become operational shortly. Units 7 and 8 are already online.
GERD's design incorporates 11 turbines, each with an approximate capacity of 400 MW. The project's engineers highlight the precision engineering, grid stability (power factor of ~0.9 lagging), and low reactive power (10.61 MVAR) as key factors contributing to Unit 6's exceptional efficiency. Energy sector experts note that exceeding rated capacity in a hydroelectric project signifies optimized efficiency and improved power extraction.
The increased power generation is expected to bolster Ethiopia's energy security, driving industrial and agricultural development and potentially enabling electricity exports to neighboring countries. This will contribute to increased electricity access for households, industries, and public services.
With Unit 6 operational and Unit 5 nearing completion, the GERD continues its phased approach toward full capacity, poised to become Africa's largest hydroelectric power project upon completion. This project plays a crucial role in Ethiopia's long-term energy strategy, learnt Addis Insight.