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The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: Source of cooperation or contention?

November 1, 2016

This paper discusses the challenges and benefits of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which is under construction and expected to be operational on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia in a few years. Like many large-scale projects on transboundary rivers, the GERD has been criticized for potentially jeopardizing downstream water security and livelihoods through upstream unilateral decision making. In spite of the contentious nature of the project, the authors argue that this project can provide substantial benefits for regional development. The GERD, like any major river infrastructure project, will undeniably bring about social, environmental, and economic change, and in this unique case has, on balance, the potential to achieve success on all fronts. It must be stressed, however, that strong partnerships between riparian countries are essential. National success is contingent on regional cooperation.

Publication Year 2016
Title The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: Source of cooperation or contention?
DOI 10.1061/(ASCE)WR.1943-5452.0000708
Authors Meron Teferi Taye, Tsegaye Tadesse, Gabriel Senay, Paul Block
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Index ID 70192923
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center