The second turbine, called Unit 9, has the capacity to produce 375 megawatts, doubling the controversial dam's power generation capacity from 375 megawatts – reached after the unilateral operation of the first turbine, Unit 10, in February 2022 – to 750 megawatts. With two operational units out of 13 in total, the dam becomes the second largest power producer in Ethiopia, said the EBC. However, the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) gave a contradicting figure as it reported the second turbine to be producing 270 megawatts, raising the total capacity of the now-operational two turbines to 540 megawatts. Ethiopia eyes a total power capacity up to 5,150 megawatts from GERD after the completion of the construction and planting the remaining 11 turbines, EBC added. The Ethiopian premier said that downstream countries "should also understand that Ethiopia has no other purpose than fulfilling its needs for power," according to the ENA.

Source: Ethiopian News August 11, 2022 23:04 UTC