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Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development and Chairman of Ajara Government paid a visit to the Shuakhevi HPP

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.

“The development of the Georgian energy sector is the only way to strengthen the economic independence of Georgia. Hydropower plants constructed with clean technologies similar to the Shuakhevi HPP, which will be added in the coming years,  are prerequisites of our energy independence. Hence, we welcome projects like this and will always support them” – declared Natia Turnava, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development after visiting the Shuakhevi plant.

AGL response regarding recent media reports raising concerns about safety issues pertaining to Didachara dam

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.

AGL declares with full responsibility that 52 m high Didachara Dam is reliable and stable and has been designed in compliance with Georgian and International standards and firmly rejects any implied suggestions raising safety concerns. 

AGL Supports Ajara Region Against COVID-19

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.

AGL has been engaged in the process against COVID-19 immediately in the early days by contributing medical inventory to newly opened Batumi Republic Hospital.

Shuakhevi HPP Started Electricity Production

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.

Shuakhevi HPP represents the largest and most influential energy project in the last 70 years.

Shuakhevi HPP will generate about 540 GWh clean energy while reducing the country’s dependence on imported energy by increasing domestic electricity production.

Together with other renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power stations, Shaukehevi HPP is poised to become Georgia’s main energy link to achieve energy independence.

AGL CEO attanded annuall conference of GNCOLD

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.

World-renowned companies working in the field of hydropower facilities, including Swiss Stucky, Italian Tunnel Consulting, Eurocos, and the Spanish High Dam Committee discussed advanced technologies for the safety of dams.

“AGL uses world-class safety standards, the efforts undertaken over the last two years have resulted in enhanced understanding and new techniques over a wide range of subjects. Safety Management through effective safety performance analysis, comprehensive geological testing and assessments, construction techniques and support designs, inspection techniques in challenging conditions and tunnel profiles, monitoring techniques for tunnels, design modifications to improve plant reliability and availability, social impact management-” said Prashant Joshi, CEO of the Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC.

At the conference, Georgian and International experts shared experiences and discussed safety and modern technologies for the dams and tunnels.

AGL continues community safety briefings

AGL continues community safety briefings about the commissioning of the Shuakhevi Hydropower Plant. On November 27 a meeting was conducted with the residents of Rabati District at Makhalakidzeebi Public School in Shuakhevi. Company representatives provided information about the safety procedures around the dams, reservoirs and hydropower plant areas, safety signage to be installed downstream the dams, etc, Questions raised by the participants were related to ecological flow in the river, the Company representatives explained that even in the event of the low flow needed eco-flow will be maintained  to sustain the local ecosystem.

On November 28 the informational meeting was conducted with the local women at the Women’s Room in Shuakhevi. On December 2 AGL conducted one more briefing in Skhalta community attended by the representatives from Tsablana, Kvatia, Kinchauri and Cheri villages. As per the locals’ request, a similar meeting was planned to be carried out for the Skhalta Public School children.

Working Meeting with the Emergency Management Agency

AGL conducted a working meeting with the representatives of the Supervision Department under the Emergency Management Agency of Georgia and the Civil Safety Service Agency. The purpose of the meeting was to inform about the safety measures implemented by the company for the commissioning of the power plant.

The Company representatives provided information about the Project, operational safety, pre-commissioning awareness-raising activity for local communities. The Emergency Management Agency informed the Company representatives about the existing national legislation about the exploitation of the power plant and fire safety measures to be implemented by the Company.   

Prashant Joshi attended International Hydropower Forum

Prashant Joshi, the CEO of Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC, attended the International Hydropower Forum at the Biltmore Hotel in Tbilisi today. Participants on the forum discussed challenges and emerging perspectives in the hydropower development sector.

Joshi noted, “Georgia has vast potential for developing hydropower resources and increasing domestic electricity production. At the same time, it is important to implement every energy project with the active engagement of stakeholders including the government, non-governmental organizations, local residents and the media. We welcome the fact that civil society is so active in Georgia, and we are absolutely open to discussing every issue. As for social policy, I believe that social responsibility is a business philosophy that should be part of every energy project.”

The event was attended by representatives from the Georgia Energy Development Fund, international financial institutions, NGOs, and the energy sector.