President: Khudoni hydro-power plant problems must be resolved

Dialogue is the most effective way to solve problems surrounding construction of the Khudoni Hydro-electric power plant in the Svaneti region.

This was the opinion of Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili. He said the interests of the local community and the State contradicted each other but believed concessions were possible.

"We have two equally important values. On one side there are the interests of local societies and we should protect the right of each person. But on the other hand we have an issue on the stage of national importance. In a normal society is possible to reach a compromise by the way of dialogue,” Margvelashvili said.

Construction of the Khudoni dam on the Inguri River in western Georgia began in 1986 but was halted in the late 80s after protests over environmental concern. The project has remained unfinished since then.

Environmentalists remain skeptical of the proposed project. They believe construction of the 200m dam and reservoir for the Khudoni Hydro-electric power plant will cause the Khaishi village to flood, requiring resettlement of local residents.

For this and other environmental reasons, local residents, environmental protections groups and some experts are against construction of the vast hydro-electric power plant.

Meanwhile the Government maintained the construction of power plant will give the country energy independence and economic benefits.