BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29
Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
The reconstruction of the Enguri hydroelectric power plant (HPP), the largest electricity producer in Georgia, is nearing completion, said Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Trend reports via Georgian media.
"It is expected to start producing electricity in early May of this year," he added.
According to him, the Enguri HPP plays a very important role in country's energy independence and safety, as 40 percent of the country’s power comes from this plant.
"Such large-scale, complex work has not been carried out for more than 20 years. The total cost of the project is 42 million euros of which we received 7 million euros from the European Commission as a grant and the rest is a loan from the European Bank from Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)," said Garibashvili.
The renovation of the Enguri HPP started in January.
All five generators of the Enguri HPP were shut down on January 20, 2021 for necessary and urgent work in the drainage tunnel, which is used to allow the water from the reservoir to enter the turbines. Some sections of the tunnel were damaged and large volumes of water were leaking.
In order to begin the repairs of the tunnel, it was necessary to empty it completely first, which is why the HPP had to be shut down.
As a result of the renovation of the HPP diversion tunnel, water losses will be reduced by 30-35 percent, which means an additional 100 million kWh of electricity generation per year.
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