Ethiopia’s Second-Largest Hydropower Giant Nears Completion as Koysha Reaches 78.36%

Addis Ababa, November 13, 2026 (FMC) – Ethiopia’s Koysha Hydropower Project, the country’s second-largest hydropower development after the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), has reached 78.36% completion, marking significant progress in one of the nation’s major energy infrastructure investments.

Located along the Omo River in southwestern Ethiopia, Koysha is designed to generate 1,800 megawatts of electricity and produce approximately 6,344 gigawatt-hours annually. Upon completion, it will substantially expand Ethiopia’s electricity-generation capacity and strengthen its potential to supply power to regional markets.

According to Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP), the latest progress was reported during its first-quarter performance review for the 2019 Ethiopian fiscal year.

During the quarter, 250,000 cubic meters of roller-compacted concrete (RCC) were placed against a planned target of 255,000 cubic meters. Cumulative concrete placement has reached 82.29% of the total 6.4 million cubic meters required for the dam.

The dam’s left wing has attained a height of 145 meters, while the remaining sections have reached an average height of 138 meters, against the planned final height of 201.5 meters.

Alongside the civil construction works, procurement, transportation, assembly and installation of electromechanical equipment for six turbines are progressing according to schedule.

EEP also reported ongoing work on the dam’s water discharge and conveyance systems, including the procurement and manufacture of pipes, their transportation, assembly and installation.

The project forms part of Ethiopia’s broader efforts to harness its considerable hydropower resources to expand electricity generation, support economic development and strengthen its position in the regional energy sector.