Awareness Raising Meetings with School Children
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.
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.
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.
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.
Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC CEO Mr. Prashant Joshi participated in Belt & Road Forum which was held in Tbilisi on November 28-29. The Forum is conducted periodically and is as a good platform for senior politicians and businesspeople from various nations around the world and representatives of a number of international organizations. Mr. Joshi gave a short presentation about the Shuakhevi hydropower project and participated in the discussion on investment opportunities of Georgia.
The first kindergarten was opened in Chanchkhalo village. A single-story wooden building has a capacity to receive 30 children. 157,000 GEL was spent for the construction of the building. The project was developed jointly by the Shuakhevi Municipality and Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC. The kindergarten is equipped with relevant furniture and the central heating is installed. 13 persons have been employed at the kindergarten. “It was a good opportunity for our company to get involved into the project initiated by the community, the project which was supported by the local municipality. Chanchkhalo kindergarten is a good example of development of joint project by the private company and the local municipality” stated Land and Social Director Zviad Diasamidze.
AGL continues with an inspection of the entire tunnel system on the Shuakhevi HPP. The AGL technical team, together with its international consultants and experts, are inspecting the entire system. At the same time, dewatering of the tunnel is continuing to allow inspections in all sections of the tunnels. Works and personnel can be seen at the tunnel adits, and this is in relation to inspection and dewatering. The process of dewatering is expected to take several weeks to empty the tunnel fully.