Construction of Namakhvani dam suspended for 12 months
The Namakhvani HPP project entails the construction of a hydroelectric power plant on the Rioni river in Georgia’s Tskaltubo and Tsageri municipalities. Photo: Ipress.
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Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava has announced that the construction of the Namakhvani HPP in western Georgia, in particular the dam, will be suspended for the next 12 months.
We are acting within the law and in accordance with priorities...What we have achieved is that the dam will not be built in the next 12 months, i.e. a moratorium on the construction of the dam has been announced", said Turnava.
She said that major studies will be re-verified and validated.
This mediation process will be held between the non-governmental sector and the government about the environmental impact assessment, and how the future study will be conducted. This will build trust in the project. The chairman of the EU energy union disputes council is involved in the mediation process", she said.
Turnava added that a visit of government members to the Rioni gorge is not planned at this stage, however, 'the door is always open' for negotiations.
The Namakhvani HPP project entails the construction of a hydroelectric power plant on the Rioni river in Georgia’s Tskaltubo and Tsageri municipalities.
The project includes the construction of two plants – the Lower Namakhvani HPP (333 MW) and the Upper Namakhvani HPP (100 MW) – with a total capacity of 433 MW and average annual generation of 1.514 GWh.
The project is being carried out by the Turkish company Enka.
Locals protest the construction of the HPP in the seismic active region, claiming that the construction was launched without sufficient research and thorough consideration of risks, including immediate security risks due to the active seismic processes.
Further concerns include potentially devastating environmental impact for the regions affected, their unique biodiversity and cultural heritage, as well as microclimates that are crucial for producing Georgian wines.
Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava says that the government has plans to hold ‘a large meeting’ in the coming days with all interested parties regarding the controversial Namakhvani HPP project. Residents of Rioni Gorge in western Georgia have been protesting the construction of Namakhvani HPP by the Turkish company ENKA for about 170 days.
Locals who have been protesting the construction of Namakhvani HPP for 168 days by Turkish company ENKA are now holding a rally in the village of Gumati, Imereti region after police dismantled their tents in the village of Namakhvani yesterday ‘due to possible threats of flooding.’
The construction of the main facilities of the Namakhvani HPP in western Georgia, in particular the dam and the reservoir, will be suspended until major studies are re-verified and validated, while construction of the auxiliary infrastructure will continue, announces Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava.
The government of Georgia will announce today whether it will meet some of the demands of locals protesting the construction of the Namakhvani HPP in the Rioni Gorge of western Georgia.
Protesters against the construction of the Namakhvani Hydro Power Plant have gathered in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi today and call on the government of Georgia to fulfil their demands by 12 p.m. tomorrow, May 24.
It has been two hours since the protesters against the construction of the Namakhvani hydropower plant in western Georgia have been marching along the central streets of the capital city of Tbilisi. From the First Republic Square protesters marched to Freedom Square and blocked Rustaveli Avenue, later returning to First Republic Square where they will continue their demonstration.
Marches, street blockades and pickets to protest the construction of the Namakhvani hydro power plant (HPP) in western Georgia will resume today at 16:00, announces Varlam Goletiani, the leader of Rioni Gorge Defenders civic movement.