Yilma Seleshi, Interim Director of Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources and Associate Professor, Civil Engineering Addis Ababa University and Dereje Hailu, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Addis Ababa University discuss the role of the Nile river in Ethiopia's development with specific reference to the Grand Renaissance Dam.

Monday, April 7, 2014
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
10383 Bunche Hall
10th Floor
405 Hilgard Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Nile Hydrology and Ethiopian Dam: Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam – Yilma Seleshi, PHD

Ethiopia’s contribution to the Nile River is about 85% of average 84 Billion m3/ year flow at the High Aswan Dam. 70% of Ethiopian water resources is in the in the Nile river basin. Ideal water storage gorges are located in Ethiopia which can generate clean energy and lead to significant flood regulation and water saving due to reduced evaporation for all riparian countries. Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) with gross storage capacity of 74 BCM (and year to year varying live storage of 25 BCM) generates clean energy of 15,860 GWh/year (which is equivalent to six medium size nuclear plant generation capacity) benefiting to all riparian countries. This paper presents key highlights of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Hydropower Dam and impacts of GERD to Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt and for the regions as a whole in the light of Climate Change scenarios based on various river basin simulations studies conducted in the Nile basin.

Water Resources Potential and Energy Sector Development in Ethiopia – Dereje Hailu, PHD

Ethiopia has several major rivers and lakes, and groundwater resources. The total renewable surface water resources are estimated at 122 billion cubic meters per year from 12 major river basins, and 22 lakes. Renewable groundwater resources are estimated to be about 3 billion cubic meters. However, the level of exploitation of the water resources is very low. As a result, most development problems in the country are water-related. The development and management of Ethiopia’s water resources faces two significant challenges, a natural legacy and an historical legacy. Although Ethiopia possesses a huge hydropower potential, the energy problem in the country is enormous. The first part of the paper presents surface water potential of the major river basins of the country, spatial and temporal availability of water, current major water resources development activities and challenges in the water sector. In the second part, renewable energy potential of the country and challenges and research needs on energy problem of the country will be presented.
 

Cost : Free and open to the public

www.international.ucla.edu/africa

Sponsor(s): African Studies Center, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Engineering