21 October 2013, Addis Ababa – Ethiopia’s Gibe III Hydro-electric Dam should start operation within one year, according to the Site Coordinator for the Project.
The Coordinator, Mebratu Teshome, said that one of the turbines is scheduled to start generating electric power early next year. This will be the first of ten turbines which will be installed at the project.
When complete the Gibe III hydro-electric project will have a total generating capacity of 1870 MW. More than 7,000 workers are currently involved in the construction of the dam, and new technology and improved construction methods have helped to significantly lower the cost and time needed for the project, said the coordinator.
The Gibe III Hydropower Project, is the third project on the river, and is expected to double the current electric power generating capacity of the country when complete and fully commissioned..