Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Operation and Upstream-Downstream Water Rights

Hydropower dam operation and economic return is subject to climatic variation and downstream and upstream water demand related constraints. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) design installed power generation capacity is 6000 MW. The average flow rate of the Blue Nile will generate a third of the installed power with average annual energy production of 15,700 GWH. Optimal operation of the GERD will be critical to market sustainable power output as a result of immediate downstream water demand, long-term upstream water demand and climatic variation. Long construction period, long initial reservoir filling period, and refilling period after drought, puts to test both the reliability of power generation, and cooperation to synchronize operation of GERD and downstream dams. Regulation schedule of the dam is dependent on sets of priorities. Simulation of reservoir operation with two minimum flows, 1500 and 1600 m3 s−1 was performed and results presented. Operation is sensitive to change in minimum flow and annual flow variation.