Tekezé Dam
Tekezé Dam is a double-curvature arch dam located between Amhara and Tigray region of Ethiopia. It is situated on the Tekezé River, a tributary of the Nile that flows through one of the deepest canyons in the world.
Tekeze Dam | |
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Location of Tekeze Dam in Ethiopia | |
Official name | Tekeze Dam |
Country | Ethiopia |
Location | Amhara and Tigray Regions border, Ethiopia |
Coordinates | 13°20′49″N 38°44′37″E |
Status | Operational |
Construction began | 1999 |
Opening date | February 2009 |
Construction cost | $360 million |
Owner(s) | Ethiopian Electric Power |
Dam and spillways | |
Type of dam | Arch dam |
Impounds | Tekeze River |
Height | 607 ft (185 m) |
Length | 2,329 ft (710 m) |
Reservoir | |
Total capacity | 9.293 km3 (7,534,000 acre⋅ft) [1] |
Power Station | |
Turbines | 4 x 75 MW (101,000 hp) |
Installed capacity | 300 MW (400,000 hp) |
Overview
CWGS was contracted to build the Tekezé Dam. The hydroelectric project was completed in February 2009. Its final cost was $360 million, which was $136 million over budget. The dam was Ethiopia's largest public works project.[2] The dam helped to reduce power shortages as Ethiopia's power demand increases.
At the time of its completion, the 188 metres (617 ft) Tekezé Dam was Africa's largest double-curvature arch dam.[3] The resulting reservoir is 105 km2 large and it has a capacity of 9.3 billion m³ of water.[1]
Tekeze Power Station
The powerhouse contains four 75 MW (101,000 hp) turbines,[3] generating 300 MW (400,000 hp) of electricity. A 105 kilometres (65 mi) transmission line connects it to the national grid at Mekelle.[3]
References
- ANNYS, Sofie; GHEBREYOHANNES, Tesfaalem; NYSSEN, Jan. Impact of hydropower dam operation and management on downstream hydrogeomorphology in semi-arid environments (Tekeze, Northern Ethiopia). Water, 2020, 12.8: 2237.
- "Tekeze project inaugurated in Ethiopia". International Water Power & Dam Construction. 17 November 2009. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
- "Hydro power in Ethiopia - the staged construction of Tekeze Arch Dam". International Water Power & Dam Construction. 11 May 2009. Retrieved 26 May 2014.