Renewable energy could offer a “win-win” solution for GERD crisis

Renewable energy could offer a “win-win” solution for GERD crisis

The issue of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has entered a new phase, with both Egypt and Ethiopia announcing their desire to resume the stalled negotiations regarding the filling and operation of the Blue Nile dam, which is expected to hold 74 billion cubic metres of water (an amount roughly equivalent to the annual shares of Egypt and Sudan from the Nile).

Two weeks ago, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met in Cairo to discuss the GERD issue and to end the stalemate in the talks between the two countries. The two leaders agreed to initiate urgent negotiations to finalise the agreement on the filling and operation of the Nile dam.

In a joint statement, the two leaders said they would make “all the necessary efforts” to reach an agreement within four months. Ethiopia also reiterated its commitment not to harm Egypt’s and Sudan’s shares of water during the filling of the dam.

Following the meeting, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister issued a statement affirming that the dam will benefit all involved parties, including the two downstream countries of Sudan and Egypt. He mentioned that the benefits of GERD include storing the Nile water adequately in order to