PM: talks with investors on construction of hydropower plants underway

The Georgian Government is holding consultations with “various investors” over projects to construct hydropower plants in the country, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Monday. 

Garibashvili said the Government planned to be a “partial participant” in the implementation of the “large” projects for HPPs. 

The move follows the PM saying last week the country required construction of as many hydropower plants “as possible” due to rising energy consumption. The Government head also announced the business sector would be offered a “relevant package” by the Government. 

Electricity production in Georgia decreased by 5.9 percent in 2020 compared to the previous year, and totalled 11,159.8 million kWh. The consumption of electricity in the country also decreased in 2020 by 4.8 percent year-on-year, amounting to 11,479.3 million kWh.

• PM: we should build as many hydropower plants in Georgia as possible

A number of public protests took place in Georgia over the recent years regarding agreements signed between the Government and private companies for the construction of HPPs in the country, with locals in regions of the country holding rallies against plant projects that would alter their settlements.

In other comments during Monday’s weekly Government meeting, Garibashvili talked about economic growth, noting tourism in Georgia had recovered by 80-90 percent compared to the pre-pandemic period.