New 27 megawatt HPP to be built in Georgia’s Pankisi Gorge
The construction of the new HPP is expected to begin in November 2019. Photo: Pankisi Community Radio.
Tweet 
Share
The construction of a new, 27 megawatt hydro power plant (HPP), Samkuristskali 2 is sheduled to begin in Georgia’s Muslim-populated Pankisi Gorge in November, construction company Peri has announced.
The company chair Lasha Iordanishvili says that they have already received the construction permit, adding that “no resistance” is expected from locals.
The HPP will be located 15 kilometers far from the village,” Iordanishvili said.
He stated that locals will receive benefits from the construction.
They will be employed during and after the construction and receive better infrastructure and broader pasturing area [as a central road will be relocated],” Iordanishvili said.
The construction of the 5.4 MgWt Khadori-3 HPP became the reason of a clash in Pankisi in April of the year.
He stated that “certain NGOs” may try to stir unrest around the HPP.
55 people, including 38 police officers and 17 civilians, were injured during a clash in Pankisi Gorge earlier in April 2019, where locals opposed the construction of a small hydropower plant.
Peri Ltd was supposed to start construction of the 5.4 MgWt Khadori-3 HPP, but the local population firmly opposed.
Samkuristskhali 2 will cost 30 million USD. The company says that they have a portion of the money and will take a loan to complete the sum.
Construction is expected to continue for two years and 100 per cent of the received electricity will be for the local use.
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.
55 people, including 38 police officers and 17 civilians, were injured during a clash in the country’s Muslim-populated Pankisi Gorge earlier today, where locals opposed the construction of a small hydropower plant.
A new 25 megawatt capacity substation has opened in Georgia’s village of Saguramo in Mtskheta municipality. Georgian Water and Power has invested over 5 million GEL in building the 25 megawatt capacity substation in Saguramo.
A new Combined Cycle Thermal Power Plant will be built in Georgia to increase the country’s power generation and move Georgia one step closer towards energy independence.
The Georgian government has decided to lower the amount of hydropower plant construction guarantees from $100,000 to $10,000 per proposed megawatt of electricity generation potential for investors which do not require guaranteed purchase agreements and guaranteed tariffs.
One individual has been killed and three others injured during an armed incident in the village of Sakobiani, Georgia’s Muslim-populated Pankisi Gorge earlier today.
The Namakhvani hydroelectric power plant (HPP) being built in the Tskaltubo municipality will provide Georgia with 12% of its electric energy needs once completed, Economy Minister Natia Turnava said earlier today while visiting the site.