This archive report was first published on 19 September 2019.
Published on September 19, 2019, by BBC
Ethiopia has rejected Egypt's proposal for operating the Grand Renaissance Dam, a massive hydroelectric project on the Blue Nile near its border with Sudan.
The dam, which is nearly 70% complete, has sparked concerns in Egypt over water shortages and the potential impact on the River Nile.
According to Ethiopian Water Minister Seleshi Bekele, Egypt wants the dam to release 40 billion cubic meters of water every year, which Ethiopia has rejected.
"This is not right. We have our own future development needs, and it also puts pressure on Sudan if that amount of water passes through," Minister Bekele said.
He added that Ethiopia plans to start filling the dam's reservoir in the next rainy season and will begin generating power with two turbines in December 2020.
Minister Bekele also rejected Egypt's proposal regarding the Aswan Dam, stating that Ethiopia does not accept the condition that the water level at Aswan should remain at 165m (541ft) to ensure the release of water from the Renaissance dam.
Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi had previously stated that the Blue Nile dam project would not have started in 2011 had Egypt not been distracted by the Arab Spring uprising.
