Will Renaissance Dam flood Egypt's Mediterranean coast?
The author of a current study says Ethiopia must agree to change the Renaissance Dam's design to prevent serious environmental repercussions for itself, Egypt and Sudan.
CAIRO — A global study of river dams predicts dire environmental consequences if the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam begins operating on the Nile River under current specifications.
The study by Sameh Kantoush, a professor at Japan's Kyoto University who specializes in dams and water resources, warns of the potential for a number of bleak scenarios involving environmental deterioration that would affect not only the downstream countries of Egypt and Sudan, but Ethiopia as well. Indeed, repercussions would also reach the Mediterranean Sea.
The dam, as currently designed, would affect the quality of Egypt’s drinking water and potable water stations, as well as the Egyptian-Sudanese water reserves in Lake Nasser.
The study, which is still being finalized, assesses various river dams around the globe. Al-Monitor secured a copy of the study's most important results regarding the Renaissance Dam. If the dam is put into commission as scheduled in July, the damage will start in the upstream country, Ethiopia, and intensify in Egypt and Sudan.
