Tekezé Dam
Encyclopedia
Tekezé Dam is a double-curvature arch dam
in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia
on the Tekezé River
, a Nile
tributary that flows through one of the deepest canyons in the world. At the time of completion, the 188 metres (616.8 ft) high dam is said to be Africa's largest arch dam
. The dam consists of four turbines, generating 300 MW of electricity together. The dam helped to reduce power shortages as Ethiopia's power demand continues to increase.
The Tekeze hydroelectric in Ethiopia was first proposed seven years ago and was scheduled to be competed in 2008, the end cost of the dam was $360 million which was $136 million over budget.
Arch dam
An arch dam is a type of dam that is curved and commonly built with concrete. The arch dam is a structure that is designed to curve upstream so that the force of the water against it, known as hydrostatic pressure, presses against the arch, compressing and strengthening the structure as it pushes...
in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
on the Tekezé River
Tekezé River
The Tekezé River, also known as the Takkaze River, is a major river of Ethiopia, and forms a section the westernmost border of Ethiopia and Eritrea for part of its course. The river is also known as the Setit in Eritrea, western Ethiopia, and eastern Sudan. According to materials published by the...
, a Nile
Nile
The Nile is a major north-flowing river in North Africa, generally regarded as the longest river in the world. It is long. It runs through the ten countries of Sudan, South Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Egypt.The Nile has two major...
tributary that flows through one of the deepest canyons in the world. At the time of completion, the 188 metres (616.8 ft) high dam is said to be Africa's largest arch dam
Arch dam
An arch dam is a type of dam that is curved and commonly built with concrete. The arch dam is a structure that is designed to curve upstream so that the force of the water against it, known as hydrostatic pressure, presses against the arch, compressing and strengthening the structure as it pushes...
. The dam consists of four turbines, generating 300 MW of electricity together. The dam helped to reduce power shortages as Ethiopia's power demand continues to increase.
The Tekeze hydroelectric in Ethiopia was first proposed seven years ago and was scheduled to be competed in 2008, the end cost of the dam was $360 million which was $136 million over budget.