Tekezé Dam

Tekezé Dam
Location of Tekezé Dam
Official name	Tekeze Dam
Country	Ethiopia
Location	Tigray, Northern Ethiopia
Coordinates	13°20′40″N 38°44′43″E
Status	Operational
Construction began	1999
Opening date	February 2009
Construction cost	$360 million
Dam and spillways
Height	607 ft (185 m)
Length	2,329 ft (710 m)
Impounds	Tekeze River
Power station
Turbines	4 x 75 MW
Installed capacity	300 MW

Tekezé Dam is a double-curvature arch dam in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia on the Tekezé River, a Nile tributary that flows through one of the deepest canyons in the world. At the time of completion, the 188 metres (617 ft) high dam is said to be Africa's largest arch dam. The dam consists of four turbines, generating 300 MW of electricity together. The dam helped to reduce power shortages as Ethiopia's power demand continues to increase.

The Tekeze hydroelectric in Ethiopia was first proposed seven years ago and was scheduled to be competed in 2008, the end cost of the dam was $360 million which was $136 million over budget.

Background

The Tekeze Hydro Electric project aims to construct the Highest double curve arch dam in Africa, topping the current highest, Lesotho. The contractors behind the project are CWGS and completion is scheduled to occur in 2009.

See also

• Tekezé River