Statement of Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC
We have read the feedback on social media on the speech of Norwegian Ambassador in Georgia Helene Sand Andersen at the conference held in regard to the Namakhvani HPP project. The said feedback contains false facts, opinions, and plainly false information which puts Shuakhevi HPP, which is one of the most important investments made in the history of independent Georgia in the energy field, completely in a speculative perspective. It has been more than a year since Shuakhevi HPP started making its important contribution in the process of strengthening the country’s energy independence and cutting down dependence on imported electricity. Since the beginning of 2020, Shuakhevi HPP has been operating without any technical challenges, and the amount of electricity generated throughout the year has already crossed 300 GWh.
Rakesh Naik has been appointed as the new CEO of Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC (AGL). Prior to coming to AGL, he had a long and successful career with Tata Power, one of the world’s largest energy companies. He initially joined AGL as the COO and assumed his new role as CEO in the autumn of 2020.
Within the scopes of educational projects, AGL awarded four students scholarships this year.
Today, Goderdzi Alpine Botanical Garden located at 2000 meters from sea level was officially opened. The project aims to collect local plant species, conserve and preserve endangered species, support eco-education, and restore the subalpine forest line, stimulating the development of the local rural tourism sector. The main backer of the Goderdzi Alpine Garden is the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) through the Mercy Corps Georgia implemented Alliances Caucasus Programme (ALCP). The project was supported by the private sector stakeholder Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC/Shuakhevi HPP and the Government of Ajara Autonomous Republic. The garden is being developed with the backstopping of Munich and Lautaret Botanic Gardens.
World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated on the 5th of June every year. This day was brought into existence in 1972 by the United Nations General Assembly to create general awareness and responsibility on Environmental issues. As this year the theme of World Environment is biodiversity AGL employees planted trees in Shuakhevi municipality in order to join worldwide effort to contribute to the greener and cleaner environment.
Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Natia Turnava and the Chairman of Ajara Government Tornike Rizhvadze paid a visit to the Shuakhevi Hydropower Plant.
AGL categorically wishes to respond to the recent publishing of a video of the Didachara dam by one of the local media outlets, as the said report sought to raise certain questions about safety concerns amongst the society and is negatively affecting the project’s reputation despite the issue having no basis at all. The leakages being highlighted in the said video has no impact on the safety performance or stability of the dam structure. It is disappointing that the media agency chose to publish these reports despite having being provided a technical explanation about the issue.
On April 23, AGL in partnership with the local municipalities provided primary healthcare medical supplies and food products to socially disadvantaged households living within the Shuakhevi Hydropower Project impact area. The Company’s support program covers 14 villages in Khulo and Shuakhevi municipalities: Chanchkhalo, Akhaldaba, Makhalakidzeebi, Didachara, Diakonidzeebi, Gurta, Paksadzeebi, Geladzeebi, Vashlovani, Okruashvilebi, Kvatia, Tablana, Tsabliani, and Kinchauri.
The most important project of energy security of Georgia Shuakhevi Hydropower Plant (178 MW), has started production of electricity. Skhalta HPP (9 MW), which is also part of the overall scheme of the Shuakhevi project is also expected to start operation by the end of spring.
The annual conference “Advanced Methodologies for the Dam Safety” organized by the Georgian National Committee of Large Dams (Gncold), was held on February 28 at the Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel.