The first turbine of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) built on the Blue Nile in the western region of Benishangul-Gumuz in Ethiopia has been started. 

The plant has a capacity of 5,150 MW and can produce an average of 15,700 GWh every year. It is expected to prevent more than two million tonnes of CO2 emissions a year. The EUR3.48 billion (USD3.91 million) project is built by Webuild and will be the biggest hydropower dam in Africa.

The project is 84% complete and is being commissioned by Ethiopian Electric Power.