Construction of main facilities of Namakhvani HPP suspended, auxiliary infrastructure will be built
The Namakhvani HPP Project entails the construction of a hydroelectric power plant on the Rioni river in Georgia’s Tskaltubo and Tsageri municipalities. Photo: Green Alternative.
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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 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.
Turnava said that an agreement had also been reached with the HPP investor that a 5 million GEL development fund will be set up in Rioni gorge that will finance all necessary projects for the gorge’s population, a Georgian director will be appointed and an independent council will be set up to oversee the project.
Turnava said that the Namakhvani HPP will provide Georgia with 12% of its electric energy needs once completed.
This is a very important large hydropower plant with an installed capacity of 430 MW; It will bring in $800 million in foreign direct investments,” said Turnava,
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.
Locals, activists and politicians gathered in the western Georgian town of Kutaisi to protest the construction of the Namakhvani hydro power plant (HPP) in the Imereti region.
More than €10 million will be allocated for various projects in energy, health and food safety thanks to a new deal signed between the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Agency of Nuclear and Radiation Safety of Georgia.
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.
Georgia has selected Clean Energy Group Georgia to build and operate the new Namakhvani hydroelectric power plant (HPP) in the country’s western region.
Two protesters have been detained during a clash with police over the Namakhvani hydro power plant (HPP) in the western Georgian region of Imereti.
The Georgian Interior Ministry has announced that the tents of activists protesting the construction of the Namakhvani hydro power plant (HPP) in the western Georgian region of Imereti will be removed after a man drowned in Rioni River yesterday.
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.’
Georgian law enforcers have erected an iron wall in the Rioni River Gorge in western Georgia, in the village of Gumati earlier today to hamper the movement of demonstrators to the village of Namakhvani. Locals have been protesting the construction of Namakhvani HPP by the Turkish company ENKA for 170 days on.
Demonstrators who have been protesting the construction of the Namakhvani HPP in the Rioni Gorge of western Georgia for more than 170 days are ready for a ‘constructive dialogue’ with the Georgian government. The local organisers of the rally met government representatives in Kutaisi yesterday and put forward their demands. Ruling party MP Sozar Subari, who attended the meeting, said that one of the key reasons for the protests was a lack of communication.
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.
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.
Protesters against the construction of the Namakhvani hydro power plant (HPP) in western Georgia have stopped their protest rally in the capital city of Tbilisi and say that they will continue the fight directly at the construction site of Namakhvani HPP.