Georgia, Abkhazia discuss Enguri Hydro Power Plant rehabilitation

Georgian and Abkhazian officials are continuing to discuss the restoration of Enguri Hydro Power Plant (HPP), which sits on both sides of the de facto border of Georgia and breakaway Abkhazia.

Abkhazia’s press agency ApsniPress stated Georgia’s Vice Prime Minister and Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze had met Abkhazia’s de facto Vice Prime Minister Viktor Khilchevski this week and discussed the major project to renovate and modernise the Enguri HPP. Work in this respect is due to start at the end of 2015.

Details of the Enguri HPP renovation were revealed by Kaladze in February.

The Enguri HPP is a hydroelectric dam on the Enguri River in west Georgia. It is believed to be the world's second highest concrete arch dam, reaching a height of 271.5 metres. The location of the HPP proved to be challenging – the dam is partially located in Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia region.

According to ApsniPress, Aslan Basaria, general director of Abhazia’s state-owned power company Chernomorenergo, positively assessed the meeting with Georgia’s energy sector representatives.

"It was a constructive meeting. We have discussed issues that are interesting for both sides. The bilateral consultations will continue,” Basaria said.

The negotiations were held on Abkhazian territory.

Basaria was joined by Abkhazia’s de facto Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Transport and Communications Viktor Khilchevski, parliamentarian Akhra Bjania and head of the Gali region Temur Nadaraia to represent the Abkhazian side.

From Georgia, the meeting was attended by Kaladze, Deputy Energy Ministers Ilia Eloshvili and Mariam Valishvili and chairman of the Management Board of Georgian State Electrosystem Sulkhan Zumburidze.