Samples of cement produced in Ethiopia are being considered for suitability to be used in the construction of the Gilgel Gibe III Dam. The project plans to avoid importing cement by using suitable cement produced locally in Ethiopia.

Mugher Cement factory has initiated a process to produce the type of cement used for Roller Compact Concrete dam, which is normally imported.

It is to be remembered that Salini Construction announced the completion of the basement work on Gilgel Gibe III hydro power dam in Ethiopia. The Italian contractor has started filling the dam according to Engineer Azeb Asnake Project Manager, Gilgel Gibe III, Ethiopia.  

The decision to make the dam a roller compact dam instead of a rock filled dam has postponed the date when it will become operational to September 2013 a year away from the original date of September 2012.

It is expected that 6 million cubic meters of concrete will be used to construct the 246 meters high and 600 meters wide Gilgel Gibe Dam. The average depth of the basement dam is 25 meters.

The dam will be equipped with seven spillways with the water to the power house flowing from the dam via two tunnels each 1.2 KM long. The power house will house ten turbines.

The construction of the dam is proceeding as per schedule with 90 per cent of the tunnel work completed and the power house under construction according to Azeb. The project has created employment opportunities for above 3000 Ethiopians and enhanced business in the local communities explained Azeb.  

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