Challenges and Analysis of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Project

This report provides a detailed analysis of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project, examining its complexities from engineering, political, and economic perspectives. The report delves into the project's construction, focusing on challenges related to design, budget, and stakeholder interests, particularly the tensions between Ethiopia and Egypt over water rights. It reviews literature on the dam's impact on the Nile River and the potential for hydroelectric power generation. The analysis covers the project's scope, risk management, and the need for collaboration among stakeholders. The report also explores proposed solutions, including water management strategies and political agreements to mitigate conflicts and ensure the dam's successful completion and beneficial impact on the region. The GERD project is one of the largest hydroelectric projects in Africa, and its completion is vital for the Ethiopian economy. The report stresses the importance of effective project management to navigate these challenges, and it concludes by emphasizing the need for pre-planning and resolution of disputes to ensure the project's success. The report is contributed by a student and available on Desklib, a platform providing AI-based study tools for students.

Running head: GREAT ETHIOPIAN RENAISSANCE DAM
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Author Note

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Abstract
The complex project is unique in nature and difficult to manage. The complex projects face
number of different challenges that is related to various aspects such as the budget, the
scheduling of the projects. The complex project follows certain complex standard which
helps in improving the standard of the project. The complex project can be managed by
diagnosing the different aspects of the projects. The complexity dimension of the project is
managed which helps in improving the approach towards the project. The complex project
uses different technologies and strategies for managing the project easily. The approach for
the complex project is systematic. In the recent time it is observed that the project is more and
more complex. The complexity in the project give rise to different solutions for overcoming
the complexity. The building and development of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance dam is
causing different political tensions between the Ethiopia and the Egypt. The dam include
design related to the engineering background it also contains different plans related to the
budget, funding and agreement of the different factors related with the development of the
dam. The plan engaged by the Ethiopian government helps in developing the potential of the
hydropower. The dam improves the water supply in Ethiopia. However, the scarcity is
observed by the Egypt due to the dam. The Nile basin is one of the massive hydroelectric
potential. The government is making all the plans for the development of the hydroelectric
power. The project must be well designed so that there is no adverse effect in the surrounding
areas.

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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Literature Review.......................................................................................................................3
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................3
References..................................................................................................................................3

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Introduction
The notable determination of this paper is to analyse, measure and research the
complexity aspects of the of the famous construction project of Ethiopia which was launched
in the year 2011. The main objective of this project was to construct the Grand Ethiopian
Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the river Blue Nile (Yihdego, Rieu-Clarke & Cascão, 2016;
102-103). This is one of the most controversial civil projects which suffered heavily due to
the design issues, budget issues, and the conflicting interest of each of the stakeholders
working in this construction project. Complex projects can be defined as the type of project
which have numerous complexities in terms of the cost management, management of the time
and management of the human resources who will be working in this project (Abdelhady et
al., 2015; 73-82). Ambiguity as well as the uncertainty are one of the prime aspects of the
complex projects. Unpredictability is the other characteristic feature of the complex projects.
Complexity of these projects can be purposefully solved using the adaptability of the
workers, collaboration in each level of the project, communicating using a secure platform,
expertise of the project managers, leadership qualities of the project managers and the other
worker who are involved in this project. The complexity of the projects can occur due to
numerous business reasons such as the management of the resources and time in each level of
the project (Yihdego, Rieu-Clarke & Cascão, 2016; 503-511). The other significant reason
behind the complexity is the over runs and delay in the schedule. The role of the project
management team headed by the project manager is very much important to address the
complications of the civil projects. One of the prime objective of the complicated project is
the management of the ambiguity and uncertainty. The building of the GERD on the blue
River could have been very much beneficial for the Ethiopia, as it can boost the national
economy as well.

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Literature Review
The yet to be done project termed the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam or GERD
would be among the largest reservoirs in Africa and the largest hydroelectric project. The
Nile River is one of the most important source of lifeline for more than 300 million people
living around the river spread across 11 different countries (Liersch, Koch & Hattermann,
2017; 728). Over the years several dams have been constructed on this river, but no other
dam caused the political tension and widespread uproar that was caused by the Greater
Ethiopian Renaissance Dam or GERD. The dam is presently caught in between a massive
political battle involving many countries. This paper that is being reviewed discusses the
current situation involved around the construction of the dam. The paper talks about the
various requirements that must be followed and ensured before attempting a construction of
the dam. The main topics among these requirements are sufficient funding, solid engineering
design and agreement between all countries and political parties. The paper also discusses the
current political scenario over the dam’s construction and how can the situation be solved
reaching an agreement between all parties. The paper proposes a bunch of alternative
solutions that can be applied to solve the crisis (Whittington, Waterbury& Jeuland, 2014;
595-608). The paper also discusses the relative merits and demerits of the solution. The paper
also contains suggestions and recommendations to help in the efficient use of water resources
through various methods like reusing of drainage water, reducing loss of huge quantities of
water and using less water in agriculture and irrigation.
This complex project has many sensitive areas were needed to be monitored before
the start of the project. Considering the technical complexities, it can be said that the
improper designing and planning is one of the main concern of top stakeholders of this
project. This project had many inexperienced stakeholders working in this project such as the
contractors (Tawfik, 2016; 574-592). The technical skills of the project manager who was

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assigned to manage each phase of this construction project was also new to this construction
projects. Scope management was the other significant issue which was faced in this project.
The project managers always improperly set the filling time of the reservoirs as result huge
amount of capitals were lost as well (Salman, 2016; 512-527). The neighbouring countries of
Ethiopia did not collaborated with them which can be the other significant reason behind the
complexity of this project (Wheeler et al., 2016; 611-634). All these different categories of
risk should have been managed using the professional risk management plan which can be
done created and implemented by the project manager of this project.
The major benefit of this paper is that it provides many alternative and practical
solutions to the problems that the dam is facing. This practical approach to solve the problem
rather than discussing it is an important part of this paper. The paper suggests that the country
Egypt should adopt a set of measures and regulations that would help them to bring down
their water usages and help in construction of the dam without affecting them or causing
drought there. The main techniques the paper suggested can be adopted by these countries
suffering from water scarcity are as followings:
 Methods to optimise the user of water as suggested above,
 Development of a national water resource management plan and enforcing it as a
mandatory rule,
 Introduction of legal legislation and more laws to conserve water including
implementing more penalty for water wastage,
 Performing institutional reforms that must be practiced in all parts of these countries,
 Starting participatory irrigation management or PIM that can help educate farmers
about water saving irrigation techniques and resources,

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 Conduct a national water quality-monitoring program where the water quality is
checked at regular intervals by authorities and changes are implemented based on the
reports,
 Involving the private as well as the public agencies to help reduce the water shortage
and find techniques to preserve water together and conducting more research to find
ways to join the two rivers which are the Nile and the Congo river.
Thus, this paper effectively discusses the problem and proposes the solutions for the same.
According to Gebreluel (2014), Egypt is known to be as one of biggest nation in the
whole world that suffers from the issues of water supplies. It is mainly due to the natural
condition of water supplies. Egypt need to come up with the changing idea for conservation
and management of water supplies. It has mainly come into picture because of growing
demand for overall growth of population and irrigation culture (Ahmed & Elsanabary, 2015;
pp. 12-14). There is need of some ways by which problem can be overcome at various levels
that is national and international. At present, there are certain number of measures which is
needed for rational use of water for a list of given activities. The project is located around 500
km to the west of capital of Addis Ababa in the zone of Gumaz along the Nile river. This
particular project is considered to be as one of the largest project which is 1,800 m length and
155 m in height. The entire volume of the dam is found to be around 10.4 million-metre cube
(Chen & Swain, 2014; 11). The project is all about construction of a main dam which comes
up with roller compact concrete. It is completely powered with 2 station which are installed
on the foot of the dam. The power station is placed at the right and left side of the river. The
project comprises of 16 Francis turbines that a total manpower of 6000 MW. The overall
production is estimated to be around the production of 15000 GWh on every year basis. The
whole project is complete by the help of concrete spillway that has a capacity of 15,000 m3.
It comes up with rock fill 5long saddle dam.

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As stated by Mulat and Mogesw (2014), the overall development of Great Ethiopian
Renaissance Dam (GERD) has ultimately resulted in huge amount of political escalation.
This particular project has ultimately created huge amount of tension among Egypt and
Ethiopia. The whole project is completely based on the completion and construction of Dam.
It is very inclusive of engineering design, political agreement and consideration which is
given for the all possible option. Nile river is known to be source of lifeline for more than
300 million residents (Salman, 2016; 512-527). In the last few years, there are large number
of dams that has been built in the changing size. Dams were very much small in size so that
they cannot any kind of political upheaval. The construction of the dam has ultimately
resulted in huge amount of changes to the water usage from the river. This particular aspect
has impacted the overall water supply of whole of Egypt. Anyhow the structure of the dam is
completed then Egypt may find some new ways by which they can support water security to
their people. The main aspect of this project is all about making an outline for the present
situation, which surrounds the construction of the dam (Hammond, 201; 55-65). The project
aims to provide description needs which should be there before the competition of the dam.
In addition, it merely aims to highlight the engineering design, political agreement and proper
consideration.
Conclusion
The dam is one of the major hydroelectric plant in Africa. The project is worth million
dollars and is important for the improvement of the economy in the future. The dam will be
completed by the year 2022. It was expected that the project will be completed by the end of
2017. However, the project is complex it is taking time for the completion. Another reason is
that there are number of disputes which are related with the construction up of the dam. The
dam is a kind of complex project. The management and the planning of the complex project
is done in a different way. The complex can be solved only with the pre planning of all the

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issues related with the project. The dam is being constructed in Ethiopia. The project is one of
the largest project for hydroelectric power when it is associated with Africa. The generated
power is helpful and also increases the economy of the region. The country is facing certain
problems which need to be overcome by the application of different techniques. The conflict
started once the project is in progress. The project and the issues need complete analysis and
all the major dimension need to be counted. However, it can be concluded that the ongoing
project are always complex.

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References
Abdelhady, D., Aggestam, K., Andersson, D. E., Beckman, O., Berndtsson, R., Palmgren, K.
B., ... & Pilesjö, P. (2015). The Nile and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: Is
there a meeting point between nationalism and hydrosolidarity?. Journal of
Contemporary Water Research & Education, 155(1), 73-82.
Ahmed, A. T., & Elsanabary, M. H. (2015, March). Hydrological and environmental impacts
of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile River. In Proceedings of the
Eighteenth International Water Technology Conference, IWTC18, Sharm El Sheikh,
Egypt (pp. 12-14).
Chen, H., & Swain, A. (2014). The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: Evaluating its
sustainability standard and geopolitical significance. Energy Development
Frontier, 3(1), 11.
Gebreluel, G. (2014). Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam: ending Africa's oldest geopolitical
rivalry?. The Washington Quarterly, 37(2), 25-37.
Hammond, M. (2013, February). The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the Blue Nile:
implications for transboundary water governance. In Global Water Forum (Vol.
1307), 55-65
Liersch, S., Koch, H., & Hattermann, F. (2017). Management scenarios of the Grand
Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and their impacts under recent and future
climates. Water, 9(10), 728.
Mulat, A. G., & Moges, S. A. (2014). Assessment of the impact of the Grand Ethiopian
Renaissance Dam on the performance of the High Aswan Dam. Journal of Water
Resource and Protection, 6(06), 583.

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Salman, S. M. (2016). The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: the road to the declaration of
principles and the Khartoum document. Water International, 41(4), 512-527.
Tawfik, R. (2016). The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: a benefit-sharing project in the
Eastern Nile?. Water International, 41(4), 574-592.
Wheeler, K. G., Basheer, M., Mekonnen, Z. T., Eltoum, S. O., Mersha, A., Abdo, G. M., ... &
Dadson, S. J. (2016). Cooperative filling approaches for the grand Ethiopian
renaissance dam. Water International, 41(4), 611-634.
Whittington, D., Waterbury, J., & Jeuland, M. (2014). The Grand Renaissance Dam and
prospects for cooperation on the Eastern Nile. Water Policy, 16(4), 595-608.
Yihdego, Y., Khalil, A., & Salem, H. S. (2017). Nile Rivers Basin Dispute: Perspectives of
the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Global Journal of Human-Social
Science Research. 102-103
Yihdego, Z., Rieu-Clarke, A., & Cascão, A. E. (2016). How has the Grand Ethiopian
Renaissance Dam changed the legal, political, economic and scientific dynamics in
the Nile Basin?. 503-511