Tekezé Dam is a double-curvature arch dam located between Amhara and Tigray regions 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
Tekeze Reservoir, seen from the dam
Tekezé Dam is located in Ethiopia
Tekezé Dam
Location of Tekeze Dam in Ethiopia
Official nameTekeze Dam
CountryEthiopia
LocationAmhara and Tigray Regions border, Ethiopia
Coordinates13°20′49″N 38°44′37″E / 13.34694°N 38.74361°E / 13.34694; 38.74361
StatusOperational
Construction began1999
Opening dateFebruary 2009
Construction cost$360 million
Owner(s)Ethiopian Electric Power
Dam and spillways
Type of damArch dam
ImpoundsTekeze River
Height607 ft (185 m)
Length2,329 ft (710 m)
Reservoir
Total capacity9.293 km3 (7,534,000 acre⋅ft) [1]
Power Station
Turbines4 x 75 MW (101,000 hp)
Installed capacity300 MW (400,000 hp)

Overview

edit

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

edit

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]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b 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.
  2. ^ "Tekeze project inaugurated in Ethiopia". International Water Power & Dam Construction. 17 November 2009. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  3. ^ a b c "Hydro power in Ethiopia - the staged construction of Tekeze Arch Dam". International Water Power & Dam Construction. 11 May 2009. Retrieved 26 May 2014.