Advisory Board Meeting in Akhlakalaki

The Advisory Board of the Bakhvi 1 Hydropower Plant Project for Environmental and Social Issues, established per CCEH HYDRO VI initiative, had yet another meeting in Samtskhe-Javakheti, Akhalkalaki, on September 8-9.

The purpose of the Board meeting and its members visit to Akhalkalaki was introduction of the stages of the Bakhvi 1 HPP Project development and observation of the ongoing construction works and specifics of the small runoff Akhalkalaki hydropower plant planned on the Paravani river and its right tributary, the Korkhistskali river, which is yet another project in the CCEH portfolio.  

The working meeting of the Advisory Board meeting was held on September 8, at which Mikheil Nibladze, Director of the Caucasus Clean Energy Holding, presented the Advisory Board members with the meeting goal and objectives, later David Mikeladze, Bakhvi 1 HPP Project ESG Manager, presented information on the Bakhvi 1 HPP EIA Report development process and ongoing studies and social activities. Nana Berdzenishvili, Caucasus Clean Energy Holding ESG Manager, made a presentation on the Akhalkalaki HPP. The meeting proceeded in a Q&A format.

The Advisory Board members visited the Akhalkalaki HPP construction site on September 9 and also visited one of the social projects carried out through the HPP Project, the Orji water pump, implemented in coordination with locals.

"I believe, the Advisory Board members found it useful to see firsthand the ongoing Akhalkalaki hydropower plant site, receive information on the environmental approaches taken during the construction process and observe the social project we are implementing in partnership with local residents. We had a chance to introduce the Advisory Board members with the ongoing construction process and obviously before entering the construction site all the members were briefed on safety; we explained the details of the ongoing works and the stage they are at, as well as had the Members see the Orji water pump station, which is a social project for the locals. It was our great desire to have Advisory Board members see firsthand and form a clear impression of the scale of the environmental impact during the construction works process and mitigating measures taken, as well as the quality of works and company approaches," said Mikheil Nibladze, Director of CCEH HYDRO VI.

The Advisory Board of the Bakhvi 1 HPP Project for Environmental and Social Issues was established per CCEH HYDRO VI initiative on August 5, 2021. The Advisory Board has 12 members nominated by the Ozurgeti and Chokhatauri Municipalities Local Governments, who represent local civil society, SMEs, the media and self-governing bodies. The Advisory Board members will be meeting monthly to discuss ongoing environmental and social issues, receive information about the results of the studies carried out by international consulting companies and consider the mechanisms ensuring success of the project.