Koysha Dam Explained

Koysha Hydroelectric Power
Coordinates:6.584°N 36.565°W
Country:Ethiopia
Location:Omo River, South West Ethiopia Peoples' Region
Status:Under constrcution
Construction Began:28 March 2016
Cost:$2.80 billion
Owner:Ethiopian Electric Power
Dam Type:Roller-compacted concrete
Dam Height Foundation:201 m
Dam Length:1,012 m
Dam Width Base:990m
Dam Volume:9,000 million cubic meter
Spillway Count:six
Spillway Type:Gated
Spillway Capacity:13,100m3
Res Capacity Total:6,500 mm3
Plant Type:Hydropower
Plant Turbines:six
Plant Capacity:9,000 million cubic meter
Plant Capacity Factor:0.34
Plant Annual Gen:2,160MW

Koysha Hydroelectric Power is a hydropower gravity dam built in Omo River in South West Ethiopia Peoples' Region and currently under construction since 2016. Owned by the Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP), the dam produces up to 6,460 Giga watt-hours (GWh) of electricity. In May 2016, the Italian firm Salini Impregilo contracted with EEP to build 170 meter high rolled compacted concrete (RCC) and the reservoir volume is 6000 million cubic to produce 6,460 GWh power generation capacity annually. Once completed, the dam will be the second-largest dam in Ethiopia after the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).[1] [2]

According to the Project Deputy Manager Abayneh Getnet, the dam reached 60% completion in September 2023 and expected to generate 1,800MW electric power.[3] Overall, the dam deployed six turbines, each generating 300 megawatts with turbine and ventilation houses. After its completion, an artificial lake creation in the region was proposed.[4]

History

Koysha Hydroelectric Project a 2.16 gigawatt hydroelectric gravity dam built on 28 March 2016 in Omo River, South West Ethiopia Peoples' Region.[5] It is owned by the Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) with an estimated investment of  £1.93bn ($2.80bn). In May 2016, the Italian firm Salini Impregilo sign contract to build the dam with €2.5 billion. Salini predicted that the dam would be a 170 meter high roller compacted concrete (RCC) and the reservoir volume is 6000 million cubic to produce 6,460 GWh power generation capacity annually. Once completed, the hydroelectric dam will be the second-largest dam in Ethiopia after the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) generate up to 6,460 Giga watt-hours (GWh) of electricity, while counterbalancing approximately one million tonnes (Mt) of CO2 annually.[6] It has 201 meters height and 1012 meters length. On 28 September 2023, the dam reached 60% of completion. According to the project Deputy Manager Abayneh Getnet, the dam expected to generate 1,800MW electric power.[7]

The hydropower reservoir capacity is 9,000 million cubic meter with total number of pipes and long channels running water to the turbines is expected to be 3 in number.[8] The project deployed six turbines, each generating 300 megawatts with turbine and ventilation houses. Getnet added that after completion of the project, an artificial lake with 130 kilometers long and 200 square kilometers will be created. According to the project main engineer Eugenio Zoppis, the project created with considerable knowledge and technology. Addis Fortune reported in 2024 that the dam construction was postponed in several occasions due to recurrent forex crisis in the country.[9]

References

  1. Web site: Koysha Hydroelectric Power Project . 2024-07-21 . NS Energy . en-US.
  2. Web site: SudanTribune . 2016-05-26 . Italian firm signs contract for new Ethiopian dam . 2024-07-21 . Sudan Tribune . en-US.
  3. Web site: 2023-09-28 . Koysha hydropower project construction reaches 60%: GCS . 2024-07-21 . Welcome to Fana Broadcasting Corporate S.C . en-US.
  4. Web site: Construction of Koysha Hydro Electric Power Station Reaches 61 Percent . 2024-07-21 . ENA English . en-US.
  5. Web site: 21 July 2024 . ADAMA/NAZARETH WIND FARM PROJECT (51MW) .
  6. Web site: 2023-12-22 . PM: Koysha Hydropower Project Making Progress – Ethiopian Monitor . 2024-07-21 . en-US.
  7. Web site: Ethiopian Gov’t: Koysha Hydropower Project Attains 60pc . 2024-07-21 . ebc.et.
  8. Web site: kgi-admin . 2023-04-22 . Power plant profile: Koysha, Ethiopia . 2024-07-21 . Power Technology . en-US.
  9. Web site: Fortune . (Addis) . Koysha Hydro Power Project Faces Financial Delay . 2024-07-21 . en-US.