PM: Egypt has plans for collaborative projects with Nile Basin countries

CAIRO – 18 July 2024: Egypt’s Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli stated that the Egyptian state has well-defined and actionable plans for collaborative projects with several of the Nile Basin countries.

In the speech he gave in the press conference that was held following meeting with the new Cabinet members, Madbouli said that these initiatives aim to optimize the utilization of water resources while bolstering their economic development.

The prime minister underscored that such endeavors reflect Egypt's strategic approach that is centered on engaging in mutually beneficial development projects with these nations. Madbouli reiterated that these efforts are integral to safeguarding Egyptian national security and ensuring the preservation of every drop of water rightfully belonging to Egypt.

“We do not oppose any development projects undertaken by any country; these are fundamental principles of the Egyptian state. However, they must be executed in a manner that does not compromise or diminish Egypt's historical share of the Nile River's water," Prime Minister Madbouli stated.

Further, he highlighted that Egypt's established share of the Nile's water amounts to 55.5 billion cubic meters, supplemented by groundwater reserves, agricultural drainage water recycling initiatives, and ongoing seawater desalination projects. "Collectively, these efforts augment our water resources to over 85 billion cubic meters," he added, noting, "Meeting our water demands poses a significant challenge, especially as our population continues to grow."

Madbouli’s comments were given one day after the Egyptian geologist Abbas Sharaqy posted a satellite photo of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) announcing that the fifth filling had begun in the morning and that it is expected to conclude in the first week of September.

Sharaqy estimated in June that the middle wall of the GERD would be raised from 625 meters to 640 meters, and that the maximum quantity of the fifth filling would be 23 billion cubic meters, upping the total amount in the reservoir to 64 billion cubic meters from 41 billion cubic meters.

Constructions in the Grand Renaissance Dam started on April 2, 2011 at a cost of $4.8 billion. It was built by the Italian construction and engineering company Salini Impergilo. The dam is located on the Blue Nile with a planned reservoir capacity of 74 billion cubic meters, and was expected to generate up to 6,000 megawatts of power.

However, it is estimated to generate only 3,000 megawatts, as the number of turbines to be installed has been reduced to 13 turbines down from 16. On the other hand, Egypt has been warning of Ethiopia’s unilateral acts for their harmful impact on its annual water share of 55.5 billion cubic meters, especially during drought and extended drought, urging a legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam.

Additional reporting by Noha El Tawil