Tekezé Dam
Tekezé Dam is a double-curvature arch dam located in the 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 | |
|---|---|
 Tekeze Reservoir, seen from the dam | |
  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.