On March 13, 2023, Bakhvi HPP held the first meeting of the Environmental and Social Advisory Board for the year. The meeting was welcomed by Mikhail Nibladze, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Bakhvi HPP, who presented a new vision for the board’s work for the current year. The agenda included a discussion of the action plan and calendar based on this new vision. The board members approved the proposed strategy for the year, noting that increased involvement would ensure greater transparency throughout the process.
David Koberidze, Environmental, Social, and Governance Manager at Bakhvi HPP, provided an update on the progress of the Bakhvi HPP project. The management is currently awaiting an environmental decision for the Bakhvi 2 HPP. A public consultation for the scoping report of the transmission line project is scheduled for March 27, 2023, in the village of Mtsipiri. The scoping report was submitted to the National Environmental Agency on March 1, 2023.
Changes have been made to the Environmental and Social Advisory Board. Maka Shanidze has been introduced as the new member representing the non-governmental organization “Women for Women, Initiative Meetings in Guria,” filling the slot allocated to non-governmental organizations from Chokhatauri.
The Environmental and Social Advisory Board of Bakhvi HPP is a consultative body established by the company with the aim of increasing stakeholder engagement and ensuring transparency in the hydropower projects. The board consists of 12 independent members nominated from the municipalities of Chokhatauri and Ozurgeti. It includes representatives from various sectors, such as local government bodies, non-governmental organizations, media, and business.