Meeting of the Advisory Board of the Bakhvi 1 Hydropower Plant Project for Environmental and Social Issues

On February 3 2022, per initiative of the Bakhvi 1 Hydropower Plant Ozurgeti Project Management, was held yet another meeting of the Advisory Board for Environmental and Social Issues. The objective of the meeting was to share with the Board members details of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA Report).We would like to remind you that the EIA Report of the Bakhvi 1 Hydropower Plant Project was submitted to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia on December 20 2021, and was made public on the official Ministry website on December 23 2021.

The detailed overview of the EIA Report of the Bakhvi 1 Hydropower Plant Project was presented by the Bakhvi 1 Hydropower Plant Project ESG Manager, David Mikeladze. He also talked about an unprecedented decision made by the company for the project - formation of the Advisory Board, its functions and roles and responsibilities; activities of the company team and Advisory Board members, considerations and decisions made by the Advisory Board.

Significant and interesting was information presented on studies carried out in the frame of the EIA process, as well as on social projects defined as a result of the meetings with the local population to be implemented by the company when remaining permits are issued and the project moves to a construction phase.

The technical details of the EIA Report were presented by the Bakhvi 1 Hydropower Plant Project Manager, Gigla Sikharulidze. Company director Mikheil Nibladze delivered welcome remarks and summed up in conclusion of the meeting.

The second and no less significant topis of the meeting was the rotation of the Board members that took place in accordance with the Board bylaws. The Board is joined by Roman Kalandadze, Chokhatauri Municipality Mayor's Representative in Bakhmaro, and Vladimer Chavleishvili, Ozurgeti Municipality Mayor's Representative in Mtispiri community. Vladimer Chavleishvili noted at the meeting that he had information on the project, welcomed activities based on the new standards and deemed very much welcomed the social projects, such as educational activities already carried out by the company. Also, as he noted, no less significant were the projects planned for future addressing the ongoing needs of the community.

"Today's Board meeting has been very important as we have summed up the work already performed and planned for future activities. We have welcomed new Board members and hope their input in the Board activities will be significant. In addition, I would like to thank each member of the Advisory Board and especially those who, based on the provisions of the bylaws, have left the Board. The contribution of Maia Chavleishvili, David Zhgenti and Temur Tchanukvadze, alongside other Board members, has been tremendous in the activities carried out till today. Again, we greatly appreciate their input and wish them success in their endeavors. We should specifically note that the Advisory Board members of the Bakhvi 1 Hydropower Plant Project dedicate their time, energy and share their experience without any compensation. We believe that these individuals are true patriots of their region and we take great delight in collaborating and working with them and sharing their experience. The Board members act like ambassadors, whose responsibility is to deliver to us the voice of each individual residing in Chokhatauri and Ozurgeti Municipalities. They honestly perform this duty and we, on our part, have not made a single decision without prior consultation with them and consideration of their opinion. Often, such considerations and discussions are hours-long and differing opinions are voiced. And this has exactly of a special meaning for us. In the discussions of this type and model, common sense and correct decisions are generated," said Mikheil Nibladze, Director of CCEH Hydro VI, the company implementing the Bakhvi 1 Hydropower Plant Project.

The public hearing of the Bakhvi 1 Hydropower Plant Project Environmental Impact Assessment Report is scheduled by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia for February 10 and 11, 2022.