Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Swailem, stated that the project to modernise the operation, control and monitoring systems at the spillway of the New Esna Barrage forms part of the ministry’s policy to upgrade barrages along the Nile, maximise their efficiency, safeguard their components and extend their service life.
He added that the project involves applying the latest technologies to the management and operation of the barrages to ensure the continued efficient operation of their components, as part of the key pillars of the second generation of the water management system (2.0).
The minister received a report from the Head of the Reservoirs and Major Barrages Sector, Abeer Thabet, on the progress of the second phase of the project, which aims to enhance the efficiency of the spillway’s operation, control, and monitoring systems, and to ensure the continued efficient operation of the barrage’s components.
Swailem said the project seeks to improve the performance of the New Esna Barrage spillway gates, enhance gate monitoring and ensure their smooth operation, balanced movement and rapid control through modern systems.
The project also includes addressing electrical and mechanical faults, assessing the condition of all metal components and carrying out the necessary repairs, as well as providing spare parts to facilitate the maintenance and repair of equipment and machinery.
These measures will help ensure precise control of water levels, facilitate the required water discharges and maximise the use of available water flows for electricity generation at the Esna Hydropower Station, the minister said.
Swailem noted that the ministry’s maintenance and modernisation works at barrages aim to preserve the infrastructure of water facilities and their associated vital structures, including navigation locks, while improving the efficiency of their components.
The works also involve applying the latest technologies in managing and operating these facilities to enhance control over the passage of required water discharges and improve the performance and efficiency of spillway gates.
The minister directed that the ongoing modernisation works continue in accordance with the scheduled timetable, with completion set for October 2026.
The New Esna Barrage is one of the major barrages built on the Nile. It comprises a spillway channel with 11 gates, a 520-meter-long rockfill dam, two first-class navigation locks and a hydropower station.
The barrage also serves as a land bridge connecting the residential areas on the eastern and western sides of Esna. The Esna Barrage and its original navigation lock were constructed in 1993 to improve control over the passage of water discharges.
