Why is the construction of small HPPs beneficial for Pankisi Gorge?
Ministry of Economy lists reasons

The Ministry of Economy of Georgia has released a statement explaining why the construction of the small hydropower plants of Khadori 3 and Samkuratskali 2 in Pankisi Gorge is beneficial for Georgia.

At least 100 locals will be employed in the construction process, while once the hydropower plants will become operational 50 permanent jobs will be created, said the ministry.

Also, the investor company will be obliged to train local young people in order to get a job at new hydropower plants in the future. The investor will also be obliged to implement “social projects” in the nearby territories of the Pankisi Gorge and the hydropower plant.

The investor will invest in the electricity transmission network which will improve the quality of electricity supply in the gorge.

The investor takes on responsibility to establish a local community development fund and transfer 120,000 GEL (about $44,526/€39,563) every year.

The most important is that the project develops so-called ‘green energy’ that leaves a minimal impact on the environment”, says the ministry.

The construction of Khadori 3 launched in June 2018 but was suspended due to locals’ protest. Photo: Pankisi community radio WAY.

After revealing the benefits that construction of new hydropower plants would bring the Pankisi Gorge the Ministry of Economy also gave background of the project designing process.

In 2017 the government signed a memorandum with Alazani Energy – an investor company of small hydropower plants of Khadori 3 and Samkuratskali 2 – and issued a construction permit only after all state agencies evaluated the project positively”, said the ministry.

The ministry also noted that the local population was informed about the construction of the new hydropower plants and the investor company held a number of meetings with locals since 2017.

Thanks to this communication the project of Samkuratskali 2 HPP was optimised and the construction of the dam was cancelled following the request of the population. As a result the projects of Khadori 3 and Samkuratskali 2 HPPs were established as the efficient HPPs for the environment”, said the ministry.

To note, the construction of Khadori 3 launched in June 2018 but was suspended due to locals’ protest. Currently, there are already two other hydropower plants -  Khadori 1 and Khadori 2 operating in Pankisi Gorge.

Over the weekend locals in Pankisi once again protested the construction of Khadori 3. 

55 people, including 38 police officers and 17 civilians, were injured during a clash in Georgia’s Muslim-populated Pankisi Gorge on April 21.

The capacity of the Khadori 3 hydropower plant, which is planned to be built on the Alazani River, is 5.4 megawatts. Construction is due to be completed within 12 months.