BAKU, Azerbaijan, Apr.8
By Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
Shuakhevi Hydro Power Plant (HPP) has started commercial production of electricity in Georgia, Trend reports referring to Georgian media.
Skhalta HPP, which is also part of the overall scheme of the Shuakhevi project, is expected to start operation by the late spring 2020.
Shuakhevi HPP project was developed by Georgian company Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC, Norway’s Clean Energy Invest company, Indian Tata Power company and International Financial Corporation (IFC). Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC was set up for the construction and operation of the Shuakhevi Hydropower Project on Adjaristsqali river and its tributaries in Ajara region, Georgia.
The project represents the only project in thecountry's energy sector which has been funded by three of the largest financial institutes such as European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and IFC.
‘’Shuakhevi Hydro Power Plant has successfully passed the pre-operation stage and has commenced commercial operation, which meansthat the Georgian population is already receiving the electricity generated by the plant. Skhalta HPP will also start operation in a couple of months after which Shuakhevi HPP cascade will operate at its full capacity. We believe that Shuakhevi HPP will be important part of the Georgian energy system in Georgia’s pursuit towards energy independence,“ said Prashant Joshi, CEO of Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC.
Shuakhevi Hydro Power Plant comprising the 178 MW Shuakhevi HPP and 9 MW Skhalta HPP represents the largest and most influential energy project in the country in the last 70 years.
Shuakhevi HPP will generate about 450 GWh clean energy while reducing the country’s dependence on imported energy by increasing domestic electricity production as also reducing the emission of greenhouse gases by more than 200,000 tons per year.
According to Joshi, together with other renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power stations, Shaukehevi HPP is poised to become Georgia’s main energy link to achieve energy independence.
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