The management of CCEH Hydro VI has signed an agreement with the world-renowned international engineering and consulting company AFRY, which has had a multi-year experience in the field of engineering consulting. Globally, thousands of company experts work on numerous important and interesting projects in different countries. One of these is the Bakhvi 1 HPP project, on which company's Austrian Office is currently working.
Under an agreement signed between CCEH Hydro VI and AFRY, Mr. Klaus Olbock, a hydraulic engineer and lead consultant of the Austrian Office of the international company has worked on the feasibility study and detailed design project for the Bakhvi 1 HPP project. Within the framework of the above-mentioned project, seven experts have been engaged in Klaus Olbock's team. The working group consists of different types of subject matter experts: hydrogeologist, civil engineer, geologist, electromechanical, and hydro-mechanical engineers.
In collaboration with Austrian specialists, detailed study and streamlining of the project scheme and location are carried out. Significant changes will affect the area of HPP water collection as well. Its size will be reduced from 3.3 hectares to 0.3 hectares.
Klaus Olbock and his team visited Georgia and explored the Bakhvi 1 HPP project area. Below is given an interview with him recorded during his visit to Georgia.
Q: What kind of studies are you conducting for the Bakhvi 1 HPP project?
K.O.: Being invited by the CCEH company to provide consulting services, we looked at and evaluated the works carried out and technical decisions made so far. We have already visited the project area several times. At present, our goal is to plan in detail, through a joint effort, experience and expertise, the ways of project implementation and find the best engineering solutions for the proper project execution.
Q: What challenges does the Bakhvi 1 HPP project face?
K.O.: You know that it is a small hydropower plant project, which is being implemented in the gorge with rather rugged terrain. The additional aspects are local environment and mountain river, on which the construction of HPP is planned. Harsh winter with high snow cover in the winter is a significant factor that needs to be considered. Therefore, the project requires specific technical solutions that take into account all these components.
Q: What were your guiding priorities when working on a project?
K.O.: Our priority is to develop and hand over to the company the properly designed project that will ensure accurate and smooth operation of HPP in the long run. In addition, we are aware that the project envisages environmental components, such as Bakhvi 1 HPP fish pass. Its design will need to be elaborated accordingly.
Q: To what extent do you take into consideration the specific location of the project?
K.O.: Our top priority is to avoid or minimize impacts, which the project might potentially have on environment and people residing locally during the construction.