2017-06-24
The Shuakhevi project, the largest hydropower plant built in Georgia over the past 50 years, has been completed. The power plant will generate 450 GWh of power and cut greenhouse gas use by 200,000 tons a year.
The Prime Minister of Georgia attended the opening ceremony of the Shuakhevi HPP. Giorgi Kvirikashvili visited the hydropower plant and congratulated the attending audience on the successful completion of one of the largest investment projects in Georgia.
The Prime Minister thanked Adjaristsqali Georgia, a company contributing the largest HPP to Georgia's energy sector. He also thanked the main investors, Norwegian Clean Energy and Indian Tata Group. The Head of Government also emphasized the invaluable contribution of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Asia Development Bank (ADB).
"As you know, each new energy project, each new megawatt, is yet another step toward the country's stronger energy independence and security. Our priority task is to replace imported electric power with locally generated energy as soon as possible. To this end, the people and the Government must act as one; it also requires support from international financial institutions and maximal engagement from both local and international investments. Notably, it is a special project in terms of its environmental impact. It is the first HPP in Georgia to be certified under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to decrease greenhouse gas emission. The project will cut greenhouse gas emission by 200,000 tons a year. Equally important are the technical characteristics of the Shuakhevi HPP, notably the 37-kilometer tunnel is the second largest in the world," the Prime Minister stated in his speech.
According to Giorgi Kvirikashvili, the work of Adjaristsqali Georgia in mountainous Adjara is not limited to HPP construction. The company has established a social responsibility precedent by introducing high standards in this regard in the country. According to the Prime Minister, the project has greatly benefited the local population by implementing social projects, ensuring employment and issuing compensations, and paying significant amounts in taxes.
"We also appreciate the fact that the Shuakhevi HPP will provide permanent 300 workplaces, which will motivate the locals against leaving their ancestral lands and encourage them to promote the development of mountainous Adjara. In addition, the state supports and works on studying renewable energy generation and building wind and solar power plants. At the Government meeting two days ago, I announced the availability of a wind power plant's stocks on Georgia's stock exchange, which are offered by the state to the citizens. Importantly, our citizens have a sense of engagement in the important projects implemented by us," the Prime Minister said.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili hopes that the Shuakhevi HPP will make its contribution to Georgia's energy independence, becoming one of the success stories to attract foreign investors.
At the conclusion of his speech, the Prime Minister thanked Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze for implementing numerous energy project. According to Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Kakha Kaladze has interesting political plans. "I am convinced that success will follow Kakha Kaladze wherever he goes," the Prime Minister stated.
The speakers at the opening ceremony of the Shuakhevi HPP, the largest investment and infrastructural energy project in Georgia, included Georgia's Vice Prime Minister and Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze, CEO of Tata Power (India's largest energy company) and Chair of Adjaristsqali Georgia Board of Directors Anil Sardana, Chair of the Clean Energy Invest Supervisory Board Bard Mikkelsen, and IFC Regional Manager for the Caucasus Jan van Bilsen.
The construction of the Shuakhevi HPP, which started in the fall of 2013, has been completed using the latest technology and meets the highest quality standards and the tightest deadlines. The project's investment value is 416 million USD. The project has employed 730 Georgian citizens, and the installed capacity of the power plants makes up 187 MW. The energy generated by the power plants will remain in Georgia through winter, a period of energy deficit, while being exported to Turkey during periods of sufficient generation.
Prime Minister's Press Office