Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC (AGL) is a Georgian special purpose vehicle set up to develop the hydropower resources on the Adjaristsqali River and its tributaries, in the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, in South Western Georgia. AGL is a joint venture between Norway’s Clean Energy Invest and India’s Tata Power and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. IFC has supported the project since its early development through one of its arms for supporting the development of early stage projects.
In 2013, the Government of Georgia issued a construction permit for Shuakhevi HPP. The Project involves the construction and operation of a 187 MW hydropower scheme, consisting of two HPPs: the 178 MW Shuakhevi HPP and 9.8 MW Skhalta HPP with respective dams and reservoirs on the Adjaristsqali and Skhalta Rivers and one five-meter weir on the Chirukhistskali River.
The Shuakhevi project is a part of the Georgian Strategy to develop its hydropower potential. The generated electricity will be sold both in Turkey and Georgia and this way enable to reduce dependency on imported electricity in the country. The investment has a positive impact on strengthening Georgia’s energy sector while also enabling the construction of a new 220kV Batumi-Akhaltsikhe Transmission Line significantly strengthening the grid connection in the South Western Georgia.
AGL established high standards for corporate governance and business conduct. During construction period more than 700 Georgians were employed, mostly from the local communities. AGL undertook extensive CSR program in the area aimed at local infrastructure development, support to income-generating initiatives, and various educational and awareness raising activities. The company pays 1% of property tax to host municipalities thereby significantly enhancing contribution to the municipal budgets.