Annual Event of Planting Trees by the Akhalkalaki Hydropower Plant Project

On April 20, 2022, within the environmental component of the Akhalkalaki Hydropower Plant project, the company planted 600 pine tree and 500 ash tree seedlings in Akhalkalaki, based on the recommendations issued by the Forest Fund and with the involvement of the local municipality.

This is an annual event carried out by Akhalkalaki HPP's development company Aisi aimed at making the environment green. The activity is held in the framework of the international Earth Day celebrated annually on April 22.

New seedlings will be planted on the Akhalkalaki-Kartsakhi and Akhalkalaki-Ninotsminda highways, as well as in the area adjacent to Akhalkalaki HPP. The company employees and local government representatives will take part in the tree planting event.

"We care about people, environment and development of the region. It is because of caring for environment, we have been engaged in the planting campaign the second year in a row and through this process we have planted up to 1,500 seedlings in two years. The local municipality in turn provides maintenance of these seedlings throughout the year. The Akhalkalaki HPP's environmental and social projects have contributed to development of the villages in the vicinity of the project, as well as implementation of environmental measures in Akhalkalaki municipality," says Nino Tevdorashvili, Project's ESG Manager.

In terms of environmental impact, Akhalkalaki HPP is a "green" small run-of-river HPP project. It is located on the river Paravani and its right tributary, the river Korkhi. HPP is currently under construction. Its projected installed capacity is 9.1 MW with an annual output of 49 GWh. Three villages are located near the hydroelectric power plant - Diliska, Orja and Korkhi. It should be noted that the company has carried out social projects in these villages. Six projects have already been successfully completed: rehabilitation of the Diliska potable water supply pipeline, rehabilitation of the road and drainage systems, rehabilitation of Virgin Varvara Street and leveling of the cemetery parking lot, construction of the swimming pool in Korkhi and rehabilitation of the Orja pumping station. Rehabilitation of Korkhi gym and Orja pumping station network will be completed soon. It is scheduled that Akhalkalaki HPP will commence operations at the end of this year.

The developer company, Aisi LLC, has carried out works in compliance with local legislation, as well as international IFC and EIB standards, which is reflected in minimization of environmental and social impacts, appropriate mitigation measures and improvement of socio-economic conditions for the local population.