Chokhatauri Municipality Mayor Briefed on the Bakhvi Hydropower Plant Project Updates

On December 21, 2021, at the Chokhatauri Municipality building, upon the initiative of CCEH Hydro VI, company implementing the Bakhvi 1 Hydropower Plant project, Mr. David Sharashidze, newly elected Mayor of Chokhatauri Municipality, Council Members and Mayor's Representatives in the Municipality Villages were briefed on the latest updates about the hydropower plant project planned on the Bakhvistskali river.

Mr. Mikheil Nibladze, Company Director, made a presentation on the project. He reviewed each project development stage, activities carried out starting from January 2021 and benefits for the region as a result of the project development.

Mr. Gigla Sikharulidze, Project Manager of the Bakhvi 1 Hydropower Plant, discussed in detail the changes made to the project reflecting suggestions of local environmental activists and stakeholders. For instance, the project moved entirely beyond the boundaries of the Bakhmaro recreation zone and the catchment area of the hydropower plant was reduced from 3 ha to 0.24 ha. These changes were made in collaboration with the world-renowned international company Afry's Austrian Office experts.

Mr. David Mikeladze, company's ESG Manager, presented the results of the studies carried out by the international consulting companies, in particular the results of the climate, cumulative and biodiversity impact assessment reports.

"From the beginning of the year, we have had more than 50 meetings in Chokhatauri and Ozurgeti Municipalities and met with more than 800 individuals. This meeting with Mayor David Sharashidze, his representatives and Council members has been very useful. Today, we have reviewed the activities carried out so far and briefed the stakeholders in Chokhatauri Municipality on the ongoing project and development stages. I believe no question has remained unanswered. We already have results of the biodiversity study, which gives a clear idea on what is the situation today on the project territory and what mitigating measures are needed to preserve this situation to maximum extent. Also, we are assured that based on its scale the designed HPP will not be able to impact climate. As for cumulative impact on certain environment or social groups, which is a set of concurrent and combined impacts resulting from various activities and projects, on that we have received specific recommendations that are now our commitments to avoid or mitigate the impact," said Mr. Mikheil Nibladze, Director of CCEH Hydro VI.

During the event, the company presented to the audience a 3D model of the hydropower plant and shared information on hydropower schemes and development prospects both in Georgia and European countries.