Ruto eyes bigger energy partnership with Ethiopia following dam inauguration

Kenya has expressed readiness to increase electricity imports from Ethiopia after the official inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Africa’s largest hydro-power project valued at $5 billion.

Speaking as the chief guest at the launch, President William Ruto congratulated Ethiopia on what he described as a “monumental achievement,” praising the project as a demonstration of Africa’s ability to mobilize its own resources and deliver transformative infrastructure.

“The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is not only a feat of engineering ambition. It is also a bold affirmation of Africa’s capacity to shape its own destiny, marshal its resources and deliver transformative infrastructure in pursuit of prosperity,” Ruto said.

Kenya has been importing 200 megawatts of hydropower from Ethiopia since 2022 through the 1,045-kilometre Ethiopia–Kenya interconnector. President Ruto indicated that the partnership is set to deepen.

“I have already had a conversation with Prime Minister Abiy that we will be having an extended conversation on whatever reserve power that is available from this dam. We are ready to sign a power purchase agreement so that we can take off some of the power from this important dam,” he declared.

The president highlighted that affordable and reliable electricity is vital for Kenya’s economic growth, powering special economic zones, industrial parks, ICT hubs, and agro-processing plants.

He added that additional imports from Ethiopia would enhance grid stability, especially during droughts, while advancing Kenya’s climate objectives.

“With more than 90 percent of our electricity already sourced from renewables, we remain committed to achieving a 100 percent clean energy mix by 2030. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam strengthens this transition by integrating zero-emission power into our grid and reducing reliance on fossil fuels,” Ruto said.

The inauguration was attended by regional and international leaders, including Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Sudanese President Salva Kiir, and Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados, alongside African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reaffirmed that the GERD, expected to produce 5,150 megawatts of electricity, is designed to meet Ethiopia’s domestic demand while supplying surplus power to neighboring countries.

While hailed as a pan-African milestone, the project continues to face opposition from Egypt, which relies on the Nile for nearly 90 percent of its water and fears reduced flows during droughts.

Ethiopia maintains that its careful, phased filling of the reservoir has avoided harm downstream, with independent studies so far showing no major disruptions.