Design optimization, layout and aesthetic considerations at Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance project

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance dam and hydropower project, on the Blue Nile river in Ethiopia, is the largest hydropower scheme currently under construction in Africa. It will become the basis of Ethiopia’s integrated power grid. The original design of the project, with an installed capacity of 5250 MW from fifteen 350 MW units, was developed between November 2010 and January 2011. Subsequently Ukrhydroproject Public Co was commissioned to carry out an optimization of the basic design in October 2011. The installed capacity was increased, and a number of aspects of the project layout were refined. Some aspects of the optimization are described here, with a focus on aesthetic considerations at the site, important to enhance public appreciation of the scheme, and also security arrangements.