Within the “April Cool” campaign, on April 1 Adjaristsqali Georgia team planted trees on Zamleti Spoil Disposal Area. In particular, the Company representatives planted forty saplings of Oak and Walnut trees. The purpose of the event was to support the restoration of the forest and the construction site.
The Company plans to undertake similar activities in the future too.
On March 4 a Fire Safety Training was conducted at Shuakhevi HPP which consisted of theoretical as well as practical parts. Representatives of the Company Ltd “Fire Safety and Service” provided information to operational team as well as camp security personnel on topics such as management of emergency situations, evacuation of personnel during fire, classification of fire and fire extinguishers, also hydropower ventilation and fire safety systems.
During practical training a fire was extinguished by different type fire extinguishers (powder, carbon dioxide, foam type), apart from it principles and rules of usage of fire hydrants were shown.
On February 19-20 AGL CEO Mr. Prashant Joshi participated in the 3rd Annual International Congress and Exhibition: Hydropower Caspian and Central Asia 2019 in Tbilisi. The event served as a professional venue for high-level participants to discuss key energy topics and exchange knowledge and experience for hydropower construction and operation in the Caspian and Central Asia region. Mr. Joshi gave presentation about the Social and Environmental Responsibility in the context of HPP construction and operation on example of the Shuakhevi hydropower project. More than 150 guests from different countries attended the Congress.
The following day Mr. Joshi also joined a conference organized by Galt & Taggart and Bank of Georgia on Prospects of Energy Sector.
Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC started awareness raising and informational meetings with school children of the affected communities. On December 21 a meeting was held in Didachara Public School, Khulo. AGL team talked about Composting – an organic process that recycles various organic materials otherwise regarded as waste products and produces a soil conditioner (the compost) which is used in organic farming, how to make Compost and the importance of using it. Students of the 9th, 10th and 11th forms attended the meeting.
Following the meeting with Didachara school children, on December 25 informational meeting on the same topic was conducted with Akhaldaba Public school children, Shuakhevi.
In the future AGL within the framework of the awareness raising activities plans to continue meetings with the school children on different topics.
AGL responds to the concerns raised by the local population of Khulo and Shuakhevi municipalities regarding reduction the number of fish in Adjaristsqali river. Herewith, we would like to explain that our company has been conducting research and monitoring of river habitats, in particular fish and water micro-invertebrates since 2013. Monitoring has been conducted on 15 stations 4 times a year during low and high flood periods. Monitoring covers desktop analysis, field surveys, laboratory processing of the found materials and anamnesis. Based on the monitoring results we can say that at this stage significant changes in the structure of fish population of the Adjaristsqali river has not been noted. The difference between the data of 2013-2017 is within the annual fluctuation of the rivers typical for the Kolkheti Mountainous rivers. It should be highlighted as well that the Shuakhevi hydropower project has not been into operations yet and consequently the project cannot have any impact on the reduction of the number of fish.
AGL team successfully completed a drainage system project in Didachara village, Khulo. The purpose of the project was to channel the ground waters in controlled manner and this way minimize the impact of flooding by safely carrying the water. The design of the project was developed by AGL engineers, local mayor’s office of Khulo municipality was also involved in terms of providing heavy machinery to local workers.
The drainage system involved installation of:
– 42m 270mm corrugated pipe;
– 42m 100mm corrugated pipe;
– arrangement of open channel.
25m footpath was also constructed connecting the village to the central road.
4 villagers were employed during construction activities, AGL engineers were supervising the works. 40 households will benefit from the new system.
AGL CEO Mr. Prashant Joshi participated in the panel session on topic High Technology in Hydropower which was held within the framework of the 3rd Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Energy Investment Forum on September 11 in Batumi, Georgia. Mr. Joshi highlighted the objective of the high technology applications in power sector which is to deliver clean, reliable and affordable power to consumers and also talked about the challenges hydropower projects face these days. “Development of power projects is becoming increasingly complex due to increasing awareness and sensitivities associated with environmental and social impacts as well as fast changing market requirements. Technological advancements need to be leveraged at every stage of the projects from conceptualization, design, construction and operations” – stated Mr. Joshi. He also noted that the scope of high technology applications should not focus only on lowering capital and operating costs, but also to respond to environmental and social compliance requirements, dynamic market needs, and safety of plant personnel and equipment.
The delegations of the Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation member states (which include Georgia, Azerbaijan, China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Mongolia), government officials and also the representatives of international financial institutions such as the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction Development and the USAID participated in the Forum.
The Forum lasted for two days with the objective to introduce CAREC countries to new energy technologies and relevant policy reforms and support encouragement of investments in energy infrastructure.
On September 10 Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC hosted delegates of the 3rd CAREC Energy Investment Forum at the Shuakhevi hydropower plant. AGL CEO Mr. Prashant Joshi gave overview presentation about the Company and the Project, followed by Q&A and Shuakhevi power plant tour. The delegations of the Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) member states (which include Georgia, Azerbaijan, China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Mongolia) participated in a guided site tour which included government officials, regulators, investors, suppliers, project developers, etc.
Social Department of the Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC hosted representatives from the international non-governmental organization World Vision. The aim of the visit was to share experience acquired by AGL in social engagement and CSR projects and discuss possible ways of future cooperation. World Vision representatives also visited the Shuakhevi power plant.
AGL representatives together with the World Vision staff met the Shuakhevi Municipality Mayor Mr. Fridon Futkaradze. During the meeting problems of disabled people and current condition of the Rehabilitation Day Center for Disable Children (which is under construction) were discussed. Following the meeting, parties also visited the Rehabilitation Day Center.
On December 18 Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC team planted tree saplings near the Shuakhevi powerhouse area. This eco-friendly activity has not only positive environmental impact but also contributed to team building and bringing colleagues together in the fresh air as a part of the company’s corporate responsibility.
AGL team members planted a mix of native trees including oak, walnut, pine tree, etc. Totally 70 saplings. Within the CSR the Company plans to undertake the similar initiatives in the future also.
