Ethiopian hydro project will not affect Sudan, Egypt: expert panel claims

African countries Sudan and Egypt are not likely to be affected with the development of $4.2bn Ethiopian hydro project being carried out on Nile River, an independent panel of experts stated.

A group of diplomats from both the countries had undertaken a year-long study to inquire whether the construction of the 6,000MW the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project was meeting international standards.

The construction of the project commenced two years ago on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia’s Benishangul-Gumuz region near a Sudanese border.

However, Egyptian experts have suggested the undertaking of additional environmental impact assessment study citing concerns over possible environmental impacts due the dam, added the official.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Water and Energy stated that the government would consider the proposed assessment study in a bid to proceed with the project.