MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

Construction of the Namakhvani HPP dam and reservoir will not be launched until several basic studies are re-conducted and the results validated - this is the statement by the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development during a meeting with the Rioni Gorge Guardians. According to Natia Turnava, an agreement was reached with the Namakhvani HPP construction company on several issues, including the cancelation of construction of the main buildings before the further studies are accomplished.

“Although the Namakhvani project is one of the well-studied projects, a lot of research has been done since the last century, and especially in the last five years, our agencies have conducted a lot of additional research to finally remove all the doubts. As for the project safety, reliability in terms of studies, we have agreed with the company that they will not start the construction of the main HPP facilities, in particular, the dam and the reservoir, until we re-validate some of the basic research outcomes,” – the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development said.

Natia Turnava added, that in order to rule out any doubts, the state will engage independent experts for these studies, including the experts that the opponents of the construction of the HPP trust, Georgian specialists with a high reputation.

The Minister noted that it is planned to create an independent council consisting of highly reputable Georgian experts, including those who oppose the construction of Namakhvani HPP. The board will oversee the project to finally rule out any doubts about its safety. 

At the same time, according to the Minister, an agreement has been reached with the Namakhvani HPP company to establish a Rioni Gorge Development Fund, in which both the investor and the state will contribute as to the Energy Development Fund. According to the Minister, in total, it will be a fund of 5 million GEL, which will act during the construction of the HPP and support and finance all the projects that might be needed for the people of the goarge.

“This fund will cover not only several villages located in the project area, but also the main villages in Tskaltubo and Tsageri municipalities, which are located in the gorge. This is very important for the project to bring more development in the gorge and to ask the investor company to take higher social responsibility,” – Natia Turnava said.

The Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development focused on another agreement reached with the Namakhvani HPP investor company.

“Georgian director will be appointed to lead the construction work on the site. Through this position, we will provide more guarantees to  ensure the rights of Georgian citizens employed in the project, proper communication with the population and the security of the project in general,” – Natia Turnava stated.