Discussion on the Survey Conducted by International Experts on Bakhvi 1 HPP Project Held in Ozurgeti

Discussion of the survey results prepared by foreign experts for the planned HPP on the Bakhvistskali river was held by the Bakhvi 1 HPP project developer, CCEH Hydro VI, on November 20 2021 at the Folklore Center in Ozurgeti.

Specifically for this discussion, the company invited the international experts who worked on the survey to participate in the discussion. They presented to the audience the survey results and their recommendations. Namely, Pier Biderman with 20 years of international experience worked on the climate and cumulative impact survey. He is the founder and leading consultant of Alpage, French Consulting Company. As for biodiversity survey, to conduct the study CCEH commissioned the British office of the international consulting company, SLR. British expert Nicola Faulks led the study process. She visited Georgia in June this year to survey Bakhvi 1 HPP study area.

Bakhvi 1 project stakeholders attended the presentation on the biodiversity, climate and cumulative impact studies. Specifically, members of the Bakhvi 1 HPP Advisory Board, who are independent persons representing various sectors of Ozurgeti and Chokhatauri Municipalities. Representatives of local self-government, NGOs, media, business and villages located in the immediate vicinity of the project area attended the event as well.

"Our main objective was to share advice of the stakeholders and that fully matched our plans to commission world renowned international experts for conducting certain parts of the study. We signed the agreements back in May and the studies that were so concerning for the stakeholders - the biodiversity, microclimate and cumulative impact studies - were commenced in June. We have already received results of the biodiversity study, which clearly shows current conditions in the project area and what mitigating measures are needed to maintain existing conditions to the maximum extent possible. Also, we are assured that the HPP design will not have impact on climate due to its size. As for cumulative impact, which is the aggregate of accompanying or combined impacts of various types of activities and projects on environment or social groups, it is our obligation to avoid or mitigate the impact," stated Mikheil Nibladze, CCEH Hydro VI Director.

As David Mikeladze, Bakhvi 1 HPP project ESG Manager, said, "construction and operation of Bakhvi 1 HPP will not have any measurable or significant impact on macro or micro climate of Bakhmaro or the river Bakhvistskali catchment. Hence, the project does not need to take any type of mitigating measures with regard to climate. The climate survey shows that the area of reservoirs that can have any type of impact on micro climate or fog formation/dissipation is hundreds and thousands of square kilometers, while the area of Bakhvi 1 reservoir is less than ¼ of a hectare (0.0023 square kilometer). As for the biodiversity survey, it started by fundamental survey of the project area in Bakhvistskali valley. The foreign expert and her team studied all representatives of local flora and fauna and their habitats. Special focus was on the survey of the brown trout and development of mitigation measures that ensure continuity of its unhindered existence. Besides, forest cover was surveyed in detail and we received forestation recommendations based on biodiversity principles recommended by IFC and EIB. According to the British surveyor, if the management implements all proposed mitigation measures, Bakhvi 1 HPP project will not have any significant impact on biodiversity, which is what we all are interested in. As for the cumulative impact, it is quite an interesting study giving a broader picture of the cumulative impacts of Bakhvi 1 HPP and other initiatives. The French expert has provided specific recommendations for mitigation of the impact related to the river and fish, forest cover, transportation management and waste management, which clearly will be considered and implemented by the company."

Along with the surveys conducted by the foreign experts, Georgian company GAMA Consulting is conducting studies for preparation of the project's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The results of the surveys discussed today will be a part of the EIA.