The Merowe Dam, built between 2003 and 2009, is located on the Nile River, 350 kilometers north of Khartoum and was intended to meet Sudan’s rapidly increasing energy needs (Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), 2024; Tractebel-engie, 2024). The dam has an installed capacity of 1,250 MW and has doubled the country’s electrical output, considerably reducing reliance on thermal power and frequent power disruptions (Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), 2024). The dam is Sudan’s largest hydroelectric project and one of the largest on the Nile, having enormous social, economic, and environmental implications. Construction of the dam displaced up to 50,000 people, primarily from the Manasir, Hamdab, and Amri communities, and resulted in the loss of livelihoods, culture, and agriculture. The dam’s water flow changes have an impact on farming and habitats downstream (Abdullah et al., 2020). Despite these challenges, the Merowe Dam contributed to national development by increasing energy supply and generally improving infrastructure in the region. With its record in the world in terms of the longest concrete face rockfill dam (CFRD) design, the dam provides an annual high energy output of more than 6,500 GWh (Abdullah et al., 2020; Tractebel-engie, 2024).