The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia is complete.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister announced that the mega-dam on the Blue Nile is complete and its official opening is scheduled for September. Downstream, Egypt and Sudan have expressed concern about the possibility of being disadvantaged in their access to Nile water, and negotiations between the three countries have not made progress. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia is complete. The Current Status (as of mid-2025): 1. Ethiopia announced the final completion of construction in late 2023, marking the end of the structural build phase after 12 years. 2. The reservoir filling is being done in stages. - The fourth and final filling stage (holding ~74 BCM of water) was announced in September 2024. - The dam holds more than 90% of its planned 74 billion cubic meter (BCM) capacity. 3. TheTurbines are operational and generating electricity (currently ~3,700 MW, with future capacity of 5,150 MW at full operation). There have been Key Issues & Disputes: - Egypt and Sudan strongly oppose the dam’s filling and operation, fearing reduced water flow, especially during droughts. - Despite years of talks (mediated by the AU, UN, US), no comprehensive trilateral agreement between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan has been signed on long-term operation and drought management. - The dam remains a major geopolitical flashpoint in Northeast Africa. The dam is located at Benishangul-Gumuz Region, Ethiopia (Blue Nile, ~15 km from Sudan border). - Size of the dam: Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam (1.8 km long, 145m tall). - Goal: Provide electricity to 65 million Ethiopians, boost industrialization, and export power. In Summary: Yes, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile is structurally complete and largely filled, but its operation remains highly contentious due to unresolved negotiations with Egypt and Sudan. Ethiopia considers it a symbol of national sovereignty and development, while downstream nations view it as an existential threat to their water security.