Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) accounted for 52 per cent of the country’s electricity export revenue, helping to push total power export earnings above $500 million, Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) said on September 14, 2026.
EEP Chief Executive Officer Ashebir Balcha said Ethiopia currently exports renewable electricity to Kenya, Djibouti, Sudan and Tanzania through regional power arrangements, strengthening energy integration across East Africa.
According to Ashebir, GERD has effectively doubled Ethiopia’s electricity generation capacity and contributed significantly to the financial performance of the state-owned power company. Domestic electricity revenue has also exceeded 124 billion birr.
He said the dam had helped transform EEP from an institution burdened by debt into a profitable enterprise, with the company recording what he described as record revenue during the recently concluded fiscal year.
Ashebir also said GERD contributes to regulating river flows and providing a more predictable water supply downstream to Sudan and Egypt, a claim made by Ethiopian authorities amid longstanding regional disagreements over the dam.
EEP has designated September 9, the anniversary of GERD’s inauguration, as its annual Excellence Day to recognise employees, teams and project operators for their contributions to the power sector. Ashebir described GERD as a “Second Adwa”, portraying the project as a symbol of Ethiopian unity, perseverance and national achievement.