2 MICRO HYDROPOWER PLANT

2.1 Introduction
The micro-hydro-electric power plant is a renewable energy plant which has many advantages
over the same size of wind and solar renewable energy plants. It has a high efficiency (up to 90%
s), high capacity factor ( up to 60% ) and slow rate of change ( due to the water flow varies
gradually from time to time).
This paper deals with a suitable selection of the micro hydro-electric power plant components
such as the turbine type, which is the main part in the plant and generator size and capacity ,
which is the second main part component in the power station . Also a procedure is developed
for calculation of transmission line voltage drop during the transmission of power to the load site
, and to specify the transformer size and its protection facilities.

Comparative study between small-hydro-electric power plants (up to 10 MW capacity) and

micro-hydro-electric power plants (up to 100 KW capacity) reveals that the former one is more
capital intensive and involves major political decisions causing difficulties in different
implementation phases. On the other hand micro-hydroelectric power plants are low cost, small
sized and can be installed to serve a small community making its implementation more
appropriate in the socio-political context.

Since Ethiopia uses a classification of hydropower systems which differs from other countries,
the Ethiopian definitions are shown in figure below.

While defining micro hydropower schemes from a range between 11 – 500 kW, it makes sense
to distinguish between a lower range (≤30 kW), supplying individual villages without high
voltage (HV) transmission and an upper range (31 – 500 kW) for small towns or several villages
which are interconnected by HV lines and a low voltage (LV) distribution grid.

Since the maximum of micro hydropower (MHP) schemes is defined with 500 kW, the largest
catchment area for MHP development is thus 1000 km². Subtracting the catchments >1000 km²
from the total of 315,000 km² with perennial flows and a respective moisture surplus, that leaves
a land area of 200,000 km² suitable for MHP development. As mentioned above, Ethiopia has
thus a theoretical MHP potential of 100 MW Most promising sites can be found in the western
part of the country, since suitable topographic conditions and constant flows are prevailing.
Apart from the large EEPCo hydropower schemes, small scale hydropower potential has hardly
been exploited so far. In the period between 1950 and 1970, EEPCo installed several MHP
schemes with a total capacity of 1.5 MW. All of them are not operational anymore: once the
areas were connected to ICS, the MHP plants were shut down. Nonetheless, some of the plants
are still in good condition and it would be technically feasible to rehabilitate them.

The GIZ Energising Development (EnDev) Ethiopia is planning to rehabilitate the Yaye plant
and to feed the generated power into the national grid, once the scheme is operational again.
Furthermore, EnDev implemented four pilot MHP sites (cross-flow turbines) in the Sidama
Zone/SNNPR with a capacity of 7 kW (Gobecho I), 30 kW (Gobecho II), 33 kW (Ererte) and 55
kW (Hagara Sodicha) respectively and upgraded a watermill in Jimma Zone/Oromia (Leku) into
a 20 kW MHP, further a 10 kW MHP plant in Kersa.

2.2 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS OF MICRO-HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS

To design a micro-hydro-electric power plant, there are many considerations to be prepared and
taken into account in the design procedure. These considerations are:

A- Flow Duration Curve (FDC)

The choice of turbine type, size and speed is based on the net head and maximum water flow
rate, which must be determined by the river or stream where the turbine shall be installed.

Because of micro-hydro-electric power plants are normally built as run of the river plants, the
maximum water flow capacity of the turbine must be determined by mean of the flow duration
curve for the river or stream. A way for organizing discharge data is by plotting a flow duration
curve, that shows for a particular point on a river the proportion of time during which the
discharge there equal or exceeds certain values. It can be obtained from the hydro-graph by
organizing the data by magnitude instead of chronologically. The mean annual flow gives an
idea of a stream's power potential. FDC can be produced for particular periods of time as well as
for particular years.

B- Flow Rate Measurement

To measure the water flow rate (discharge) several methods are available. The velocity-area
method is a conventional method for medium to large rivers, involving the measurement of the
cross-sectional area of the river and the mean velocity of the water through it. It is a useful
approach for determining the stream flow with a minimum effort. The river should have a
uniform width and the area well defined.
i- Measuring the cross sectional area (Ar): To compute the cross-sectional area of a natural water
course, it should be divided into a series of trapezoids.
Measuring the trapezoid sides, marked rules, the crossection would be given by:
( a+b)
∗(h 1+ h 2+ h 3 …..+ hk)
2 (m2) 2
Ar=
k
Where a = width of top river (m) and b = width of bottom river (m)

ii- Measuring the velocity (Vr): Since the velocity both across the flow and vertically through it
is not constant, it is necessary to measure the water velocity at a number of points to obtain a
main value. The velocity can be measured by a floating object, which is located in the center of
stream flow. The time (t) in seconds elapsed to traverse a certain length (L) in meter is recorded.
L
The surface speed (m/s) is given as: Vrs = m/s
t
To estimate the average flow speed (Vr), the above value must be multiplied by a correction
factor, that may vary between (0.6) and (0.85), depending on the water course depth and their
bottom and river bank roughness (0.75 is a well-accepted value).

C- Weir and Open Channel

In case of low discharge rivers (less than 4 m3 /s), it may be possible to build a Weir. It is a low
wall or dam across the stream to be gauged with a notch through which all the water may be
channeled. A simple linear measurement of the difference in level between the up-stream water
surface and the bottom of the notch is sufficient to quantify the flow rate (discharge). Several
types of notch can be used such as rectangular, Vee or trapezoidal. The actual notch may be
metal plate or hard wood with sharp edges, the flow rate through it can be given as:
 (3)
Where W = Weir width (m) and h = Weir height (m).
The water-intake usually located at the end of the water channel. In small hydro-power schemes,
even in high head
ones, water-intakes are horizontal, followed by a curve to an inclined or vertical penstock. The
location of the intake depends on a number of factors, such as submergence, geotechnical
conditions, environmental considerations and ice formation. Several components need to be
considered:
o Approach walls to the trash rack designed to minimize flow separation and head losses.
o Transition from rectangular cross-section to a circular one to meet the entrance to the
penstock.
o Piers to support mechanical equipment including trash racks and service gates.
o Vortex suppression devices.

The velocity of water along the intake may vary from 0.8-1 m/s through the trash rack to 3-5 m/s
in the penstock. A
good profile will achieve a uniform acceleration of the flow, minimizing the head losses. The
best design is that of a
compact intake with a sloping roof and converging wall.

E) Trash Rack Design

To prevent the trash from getting entry into the entrance flume, bars at certain spacing (called
trash rack) are placed in a slanting position (at an angle 60° to 80° with horizontal). The
maximum possible spacing between the bars is generally specific by the turbine manufacturers.
Typical value are (20-30 mm) for Pelton turbines, (40-50 mm) for Francis turbines and (80- 100
mm) for Kaplan turbines. A screen or grill is always nearly at the entrance of both pressure pipes
and intakes to avoid the entrance of floating debris. The flow of water through the rack also gives
rise to a head loss. The trash rack coefficient (Ktr) depends on the bar shape and may be vary
from (0.8) to (2.4)

F) Gates and Valves

In low head schemes with integral intake and power house, the best way to increase the head
without risking up stream flooding, is the sector gate. A hydraulic system or an electric motor
opens the gate, so that the water passes underneath. In case of maintenance or repair, a gate is
used to avoid the runways speed on a shut down turbine. Sliding gates of cast iron, steel, plastic
or timber are suited to the intake small and micro-hydro systems. The loss of head produced by
the water flowing through an open valve or gate depends on the type and manufacture of the
valve.
G) Penstock Design
Penstocks (pipes) are used to conveying water from the intake to the power house. They can be
installed over or under the ground, depending on factors such as the nature of the ground itself,
the penstock materials, the ambient temperature and the environmental requirements. The
internal penstock diameter (Dp) can be estimated from the flow rate, pipe length and gross head
as:

( 4)
Where np = Manning's coefficient . Q = water flow rate (m3/s). Lp = penstock length in (m).
Hg = gross head in (m).
The wall thickness of the penstock depends on the pipe materials, its tensile strength, pipe
diameter and the operating pressure. The minimum wall thickness is recommended as:

(5)
Where Dp = penstock diameter in (mm). tp = minimum penstock thickness in (mm).
The pipe should be rigid enough to be handled without danger of deformation in the field.

G) Turbine Speed:
To ensure the control of the turbine speed by regulating the water flow rate, a certain inertia of
rotating components is required. Addition inertia can be provided by a flywheel on the turbine or
generator shaft. When the load is disconnected, the power excess accelerates the flywheel, later,
when the load is reconnected, deceleration of the addition inertia supplies additional power that
helps to minimize speed variation. The basic equation of the rotating system is:

(6)
Where w = turbine speed in (rad./sec.). Pt = turbine power (watt). Pl= load power (watt).
B = turbine and generator friction torque coefficient (N.m/(rad./sec.)).
J = moment of inertia of the whole rotating system (Kg/m2).

H) Turbine Selection
Once the turbine power, specific speed and net head are known, the turbine type, the turbine
fundamental dimensions and the height or elevation above the tailrace water surface that the
turbine should be installed to avoid cavitations phenomenon, can be calculated.
The potential energy in the water is converted into mechanical energy in the turbine, by one of
two fundamental and basically different mechanisms:

A- The water pressure is converted into kinetic energy before entering the turbine runner. The
kinetic energy is in the form of high-speed jet that strikes the buckets, mounted on the periphery
of the runner. Turbines those operate in this way are called impulse turbines. As the water after
striking the buckets falls into the tail water with little remaining energy, the casing can be light
and serves the purpose of preventing splashing. The impulse turbines can be divided into two
types as:
I - Pelton turbines: They are impulse turbines where one or more jets impinge on a wheel
carrying on its periphery a large number of buckets. Each jet issues through a nozzle with a
needle valve to control the flow). They are only used for relatively high heads. The axes of the
nozzles are in the plane of the runner. To stop the turbine the jet may be deflected by a plate so
that it does not impinge on the buckets. The needle valve can be closed very slowly, so that over
pressure surge in the pipe line is kept to an acceptable minimum. Any kinetic energy leaving the
runner is lost and so the buckets are designed to keep exit velocities to a minimum. In general,
the Pelton turbines cover the high pressure domain down to (50 m) for micro-hydro.
If the runner speed (N), the net head and water flow rate (Q) are known, the dimensions of the
Pelton turbine can be estimated from the following equations:

(7)
diameter of circle describing the buckets center line in meters.

(8)
bucket width in meters. Where K = number of nozzles.

(9)
nozzle diameter in meters

(10)
jet diameter in meters.

(11)
jet velocity (m/s).

The ratio D1/B2 must be always greater than (2.7). if this is not the case, then a new calculations
with more nozzles number has to be carried out. If the turbine is Turbo at the same power of
Pelton, the specific speed is double of that Pelton and the diameter is halved.

ii -Cross-flow (Banki-Michell) turbine: Banki turbine is an atmospheric radial flow wheel

which derives its power from the kinetic energy of the water jet. It consists of two parts: 1-
Nozzle. 2- Runner, which is built up of two parallel circular disks joined together at the rim with
a series of curved blades. The water flow enters the wheel at an angle of (16°) to the tangent of
the periphery of the wheel. Maximum efficiency occurs at practically a constant speed for all
gates opening at constant head.

B- The water pressure can apply a force on the face of the runner blades, which decreases as it
proceeds through the turbine. Turbines those operate in this way are called reaction turbines. The
turbine casing, with the runner fully immersed in water, must be strong enough to withstand the
operating pressure. To reduce the kinetic energy still remaining in water leaving the runner, a
draft tube or diffuser stands between the turbine and the tailrace. The function of the draft tube is
to reconvert the kinetic energy into flow energy by a gradual expansion of the flow cross section.
The reaction turbines can be classified into two main types as:

(12)
runner diameter in meters.

(13)
Runner length in meters.

(14)
Jet thickness or nozzle width in meters.

I - Francis turbines: They are radial flow reaction turbines, with fixed runner blades and
adjustable guide vanes, used for medium head. They can be set in an open flume or attached to a
penstock. For small heads and power, open flumes are commonly employed. Steel spiral casings
are used for higher heads. The main dimensions can be estimated as:

(15)
exit diameter in meters.

(16)
Inlet runner diameter in meters.

Ii - Kaplan turbines: They are axial-flow reaction turbines, generally used for low heads. It has
adjustable runner blades and may or may not have adjustable guide vanes. If both blades and
guide vanes are adjustable, it is described as double-regulated. If the guide vanes are fixed, it is
single regulated. The main dimensions can be estimated as:

(17)
the runner exit (outer) diameter in meters.

(18)
the runner hub (inlet) diameter in meters.

I. Measurement of Head
Head is a water pressure which is created by the difference in elevation between the water intake
and the turbine. Accuracy is critical when measuring head because it is necessary for
determining hydrodynamic design of turbine blade or bucket, expected power and the type of
turbine to be used. This head can be created by dams or by leading the water in parallel to the
river in a waterway with low head losses compared to the natural stream, or very often, by a
combination of both.

J. Diversion Systems
Diversion System refers to the means to ―divert‖ water from the source and transport it to
turbine. A water diversion system serve two primary purposes: to provide deep enough pool of
water to create smooth, air free to the pipeline and to remove dirt and debris. It consists of
Intakes, spillways, fore bay tank, penstock, tailrace etc. There are various methods for diverting
and transporting the water, but diversion systems can be grouped into two basic types: closed and
open systems. Matching the correct type of diversion system to a particular style of micro-hydro
turbine is critical to the optimal performance of the turbine. In a closed diversion system (such as
pipe), the system is sealed and water is isolated from direct gravitational forces while in the pipe.
The energy in the water flowing in a closed conduit of circular cross section, under a certain
P V2
pressure, is given by Bernoulli’s equation: H 1=h 1+ + ,Where H1 is the total energy, h1
γ 2g
is the elevation head, P1 the pressure, Ɣ the specific weight of water, V1 the velocity of the
water and g the gravitational acceleration. The total energy at point 1 is then the algebraic sum of
the potential energy h1, the pressure energy P1/ Ɣ, and the kinetic energy V1 2 /2g .Closed
diversion system work well for developing high pressure head with relatively low water flow
volume (impulse turbines).

Contrary to what happen in closed pipes, where the water fills the entire pipe, in an open canal
there is always a free surface (figure 5). Normally, the free water surface is subject to the
atmospheric pressure, commonly referred to as the zero pressure reference, and usually
considered as constant along the full length of the canal. At the point where the water is diverted,
solid matter, such as sand or gravel floating in the river, has to be abstracted to protect the
turbine, avoid accumulation in the channel and protect the basins. Open diversion systems work
well for supplying large volumes of water to the turbine (Reaction turbines) with low friction
loss. Some reaction turbines (such as the Nautilus) may utilize a combination of open and closed
diversion systems, with the open system leading to a closed system (such as a pipe). The open
segment diverts a large volume of water close to the turbine site, while the closed portion allows
development of the necessary pressure head for the turbine without the expense of long lengths
of piping. In these combination systems, the starting elevation for the pressure head is the water
surface at the point where the water enters the closed system.
2.3. MICRO HYDRO PROJECT PLANNING
The basic concepts considered in micro hydro planning are: topography and geomorphology of
the site, evaluation of the water resource and its generating potential, site selection and basic
layout, hydraulic turbines and generators and their control, environmental impact assessment and
mitigation measures, economic evaluation of the project and financing potential, Institutional
framework and administrative procedures to obtain the necessary consents. For any micro-hydro
project to be successful, the following three steps must not be missed:
(1) Project formulation and layout i.e. hydrological study (flow duration, flood conditions,
dry/wet year conditions), basic topographical overview (possible head, access conditions, and
existing roads), preliminary assessment of slope stability/sediment loads and basic project layout
with first approximation of electricity generation.
(2) Engineering design and layout optimization i.e. pre-design of hydraulic structures with cost
estimations, optimization of sizing and evaluation of layout alternatives.
(3) Definition of project layout i.e. Detailed field investigations, detailed engineering design and
bill of quantities and budgetary quotations for Equipment. Planning micro-hydro project involves
brainstorming, taking critical decision and following a chronological step as shown in fig

2.4 The advantages of micro-hydro-electric power plant

 It has ability to generate power near when its needed, reducing the power inevitably lost
during transmission.
  It can deal more economically with varying peak load demand, while the fossil-fuel or
nuclear power plants can provide the base load only, due to their operational
requirements and their long start-up times.
 It is able to start-up quickly and make rapid adjustments in output power.
 It does not cause pollution of air or water.
 It has low failure rate, low operating cost and is reliable.
 It acts much like a battery, storing power in the form of water.
 In particular, the advantages that micro-hydro-electric power plant has over the same size
wind, wave and solar power plants are:
 High efficiency (70-90%), by far the best of all energy technologies.
 High capacity factors (> 50%) compared with 10% for solar and 30% for wind power
plant.
 -Slow rate of change; the output power varies only gradually from day to day not from
minute to minute.
 The output power is maximum in winter.
.
3 GRAND ETHIOPIAN RENAISSANCE DAM

3.1 AN OVERVIEW

As the part of the Climate-Resilient Green Energy strategy, the Ethiopian Government is
planning to expand its hydroelectric capacity further and to become a regional power hub by
implementing several hydropower projects and building power transmission and distribution.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is one of the giant projects which is built to
achieve the objectives of the national electrification program and as well as the climate resilient
green energy strategies. Ethiopia has begun building the grand hydropower dam in 2011 on the
Blue Nile River.

The GERD project located just upstream of the border with Sudan, is the first dam ever to be
constructed directly on the main stem of the Blue Nile and will become the largest dam in Africa.
The project’s launch came in the midst of the Egyptian revolution, which some observers believe
was intended to take advantage of the more powerful nation’s confused political state at a time
when the issue of who controls the Nile is heating up. Specifically Ethiopia officially launched
the construction of the dam just two days since the overthrow of the then Egyptian President
Hosni Mubarak.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) Project is located 600 km northeast of the
Ethiopian capital of Addis Abeba, in the Benishangul – Gumaz region, along the Blue Nile
River. The Ethiopian Electric Power company (EEP) is the employer, Salini-Impregilo SpA the
EPC Contractor and Studio Pietrangeli Srl the designer. The plant, with its 6’000 MW of
installed power and 15.7 TWh of annual energy production, is one the most important projects in
the Ethiopian Government’s commitment to meet the country’s present and future power
requirements. The hydropower plant is currently under construction. When completed, GERD
will be the largest plant in Africa.
FIGURE 1: Top view of GERD

At the end of the works, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will be the largest dam in Africa:
1,800 m long, 145 m high and with a total volume of 74,000 million m³.

The power stations are positioned on the right and left banks of the river and comprise 16
Francis turbines units each of which generate 375 MW power with a total installed power of
6,000 MW and estimated production of 15,000 GWh per year. The project involves the
construction of a main dam in Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC), with 2 power stations
installed at the foot of the dam.

GERD has enjoyed a tremendous support from all the people of Ethiopia at home and from
Ethiopian origins living abroad, as well as upper and lower riparian countries including the
Sudan since the beginning of the work in 2011. ü Its total cost is estimated at USD 4.7 billion,
and is financed by Ethiopia people contribution and the Government budget. ü About 8,500
people work on the site, 8,200 of which from local communities. Another 1,250 are indirectly
employed by the project, working for suppliers and subcontractors for a value of €450 million.
The construction is carried out by the Italian firm Salini Impregilo. ü The sub contract of work of the
project is owned by the Ethiopian Metal and Engineering corporation (MEtEC) firms. ü The grand project
is therefore also being used as a means of technological transfer to the Ethiopian domestic experts. ü It is
at the center of Ethiopia’s development strategy. ü It will provide cheap and abundant electricity to the
booming manufacturing sector of the country where the electricity demand is growing by more than 20
percent each year.
3.2 Key Characteristics of the Project

The general layout of GER Main Dam is illustrated in Fig. 2. The key components of
the project are:
 The river diversion system, designed to discharge up to 14’700 m3 /s, includes 4 culverts
(octagonal section 7.5x8.3m) for discharging during the dry season up to 2700 m3 /s
(December to June) and a temporary stepped spillway located in the central part of the
dam (see Fig. 1), for dam overtopping during the wet season. The first stage of river
diversion envisaged the excavation of a channel, 1100 m long and 120 m width, on the
right bank to allow the construction of the dam in the 30 m deep gorge at river thalweg
and of the culverts on the left bank;
 A roller compacted concrete (RCC) Main Dam with a maximum height of 175 m and a
total volume of RCC of about 10.2 million cubic meters; a concrete faced rockfill
(CFRD) Saddle Dam 60 m high and 5 km long, with an embankment volume of 17
million m3;
  A system of three spillways safeguards the project against the Probable Maximum Flood
(30’200 m3/s peak and 18’000 m3 /s routed discharge): id est: 1) main service gated
spillway, located on a saddle area to the immediate left of the main dam (14’500 m3 /s);
2) free-flow crest spillway located on the overflow section of the main dam (2’800 m3
/s); 3) side channel un-gated spillway, located on the right abutment of the Saddle Dam
(emergency spillway which will come into operation when the incoming flow exceeds the
1’000-year floods).
 two steel-lined bottom outlets (6 m diameter), embedded in the dam body, which allow
the control of reservoir level and the discharge during plant outage periods;
 Sixteen penstocks (8 m diameter), embedded in the dam body. 2 penstocks at lower
elevation are dedicated to early generation during reservoir impounding;
 two outdoor power houses located at the Main Dam toe on the right and left riverside
housing 10 Francis turbine units and 6 Francis turbine units respectively, with 375 MW
each totaling 6’000 MW installed capacity;
 One 500 kV switchyard on right bank.
 Six 500 kV transmission lines and one 400 kV transmission line.

3.3 The Nile River Basin, Transboundary Rivers and the Hydro-Politics of the
Region

The Nile River Basin represents one of the major transboundary water regimes in the world with
an estimated population of 300 million. Competition over limited water resources is one of the
main concerns for the coming decades. Although water issues alone have not been the sole
trigger for warfare in the past, tensions over freshwater management and use represent one of the
main concerns in political relations between riparian states and may exacerbate existing tensions,
increase regional instability and social unrest. Despite the contentions and conflicts, the Hydro
political complexes are emerging to negotiate water-sharing policies that promote political
stability, regional security, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability. Yet interstate
disputes are occurring within most hydro political complexes, and weak riparians are often
coerced to agree to water-sharing policies that adversely affect them.
The Hydro-politics in the Nile Basin is not a recent phenomenon. There are records of
agreements and conflicts that date back as far as pre-Egyptian civilization. Mostly, water sharing
agreements have been achieved under non-cooperation regimes/settings rather than mutual
understanding and peaceful settings, and the previous attempts at reciprocal cooperation among
the Nile riparian states have mainly been a failure. As far as the Nile basin is concerned, there is
no single binding agreement to acknowledge riparian rights to Nile water resources in any way to
create an environment for trust and equitable water sharing
The ongoing construction of the GERD has brought the international spotlight to the Nile basin,
with riparian country relations oscillating between contentious and cooperative. How regional
planning transpires, in a coordinated cooperative framework or not, will surely set a precedent
for future development across the basin. The potential for increasing shared benefits is strong,
but collectively realizing those benefits will require an even stronger united will. It’s argued that
the GERD is not the first project of its kind in the Nile Basin, Egypt, Sudan and Uganda have all
developed large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly over the last two decades. GERD,
however, is arguably the most significant, given its size, its location and its influence on
transboundary relations between the three key basin countries.
Egypt has been the major power in the region for millennia, yet all of the water that sustains
Egypt comes from upstream states. These upstream states are some of the poorest, and most
contentious states on Earth (McKinney, 2011). The use of the Nile River has for centuries been
monopolized by the lower riparian countries that claim “historic right” over the waters,
predominantly Egypt. The hegemony over the Nile has been under these countries, thus building
tensions among the riparian states which are sources of the water, since they were for long
alienated from their own vital resources.
The GERD constitutes 6 a significant counter-hegemonic measure capable of inducing a positive
transformation in the basin’s inequitable status quo. It is a ‘game changer’ that challenges
Egypt’s long-standing hegemony over the Nile Basin. It heralded the transformation of
Ethiopia’s counter-hegemonic policy from the reactive diplomacy of occasional contestation of
Egypt’s Nile policy to a proactive diplomacy that creates new facts on the ground. It forced
Egypt to accept, for the first time, a project that was unilaterally constructed by a Nile upstream
riparian.
The GERD is subject to a number of concerns and criticism with regard to jeopardizing
downstream water security and livelihoods, which created tension particularly between Egypt
and Ethiopia. The large capacity of the reservoir will certainly shift the geopolitical balance in
the Eastern Nile Basin for which Egypt has fears about its water supply. The flow of the River
Nile has been treated as a national security matter by leaders of the modern Egypt who have
sometimes sought to take military actions against its violators. This discourse has had served
Egypt in the past to receive a lion’s share of the waters. But because of changing circumstances
this policy can no longer guarantee this share. The continuation of this discourse will risk losing
a deal for Egypt on the River Nile in the future
The tension over the use of Nile resources is not just limited to the ongoing dispute on GERD
between Ethiopia and Egypt. It is rather a manifestation of deep rooted lack of trust and
sustainable regulatory regime on sharing the resources. Up to now, there has been no
comprehensive agreement acceptable to either the Eastern Nile Basin countries or for the entire
Nile River Basin. The main reason for this failure is mistrust which has been caused by lack of
transparency, geopolitical imbalances, lack of adequate and relevant data and shifting
development ambitions.
The hydro-political relationship between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia may escalate or deescalate
depending on several factors that affect the contents and direction of domestic water use policies.
But there is no doubt that the new facts on the ground have forced the states into a new form of
collaboration which functions within the confines of restructured conceptions of entitlement and
the realities of power relations.

Regional integration through energy trade is currently one of the main paradigm advocated in
order to supersede the water-related disputes that the utilization of the Nile flows has spurred
over the regional relationships since the past 50 year. Only intensified collaboration and detailed
studies on the management of the GERD can bring out benefits that can potentially improve
living conditions in all countries within the Nile Basin. The improving interconnectedness
among the riparian states in terms of energy trade could also foster cooperation in other sectors
in the following decades, driving the process of regional integration towards the establishment of
a new Nile Basin Regime.

3.4 Benefits from the Dam

 Avoiding flood that has huge damage in lower riparian countries,
 Excessive sediments and maintaining a regular and sustainable flow of water with less
evaporations which is vital for the irrigation projects in the lower riparian countries
 The Dam will boost the cooperation and mutual understanding between riparian
countries.
 It will change the face of East African power infrastructure