The construction site of the Bakhvi Hydropower Plant (HPP) is located in Ozurgeti Municipality, in the valley of the Bakhvistskali River. The Bakhvi 1, Bakhvi 2A, and Bakhvi 2B hydropower plants are currently at different stages of construction. The civil works for Bakhvi 2B have been completed, and installation of the generating units is underway. Completion of the main works on all three plants is planned by the end of the year.
At the initiative of the project management, members of the Bakhvi HPP Environmental and Social Advisory Council visited the construction site. Below are their impressions:
Ia Mamaladze – Founder, Guria News
"I did not expect the construction to have advanced to this stage. Most importantly, the active construction zone is not extensive in scale; I anticipated a far larger footprint. It is evident that project managers are making every effort to protect the environment and either prevent or mitigate potential impacts."
Nugzar Asatiani – Editor-in-Chief, Newspaper Alioni
"The construction of the Bakhvi HPP buildings and the installation of the Bakhvi 2B units are progressing rapidly. Civil works for the water intakes and pipelines at Bakhvi 2A and Bakhvi 1 are in full swing. What is most striking is that the environmental footprint has been kept minimal. Reforestation and vegetation planting at critical locations are particularly important, as is the care for the surrounding environment. It is also commendable that a high proportion of the construction workforce is drawn from the local community."
Lela Mdinaradze – Head, Department of Environmental Protection and Agricultural Development, Chokhatauri Municipality
"What I observed on-site reflects the work of highly qualified professionals. The company is striving to minimize its impact on the environment and ecosystems. Waste Management and Health and Safety are well-organized. The company stands out for its strong social responsibility and transparent communication—both with the Advisory Council and any interested stakeholder. The initiative to implement a reforestation plan in Bakhmaro is also noteworthy."
Temur Mzhavanadze – Resident of Mtispiri Village, Ozurgeti Municipality
"The works are being carried out to a high standard, with safety and environmental protection as the company’s top priorities. We saw grass seeding operations using hydroseeding equipment, demonstrating the company’s commitment to mitigating environmental impact. Notably, 81 locals, including 22 women, are currently employed at the site, which is highly welcome. At the start of the project, numerous meetings were held, many of which I attended personally. The company’s promises have been fulfilled to a high standard, contributing to improved socio-economic conditions for the local population."
Maka Shanidze – PR Manager, ‘Women for Women’ Initiative Meetings in Guria (NGO)
"We had the opportunity to see first-hand the various stages of hydropower infrastructure construction. The process is distinguished by high-quality organization, stringent safety standards, and sound environmental management practices. Throughout the visit and discussions, all our questions were answered comprehensively, with both technical and substantive clarity. It is fair to say that the company operates with complete transparency."
Vladimer Menabde – Founder, Guria Moambe
"Many hydropower plants are under construction in Guria, yet this company is the first—and unfortunately still the only one—that strives to provide the public with detailed information at every stage of project implementation. The transparency demonstrated by Bakhvi HPP and its commitment to keeping the public informed are truly commendable. I believe that any questions arising during the course of works are consistently addressed by competent company representatives, which is essential. I personally have never encountered an unanswered question. My years of professional interaction with the company allow me to confidently say that the current level of transparency is satisfactory.
As for the benefits of the Advisory Council’s work, I can say it has given us greater knowledge and experience—an invaluable resource for future journalistic coverage of similar projects."
Giorgi Abramishvili – Director, Bakhvi HPP
"Advisory Council members are consistently kept informed of developments within the Bakhvi HPP project. In the early years, during the active research phase, their insights were invaluable—especially as local residents with a deep personal connection to the region. Subsequently came the stages of reporting and obtaining licenses, followed by extensive discussions on our social projects program, its implementation, and the assessment of results. Employment became a key focus, and I believe we addressed it successfully, once again benefiting from the Council’s advice. Now, we are jointly navigating the critical phase of construction and environmental monitoring. I wish to extend my gratitude to each member for their interest and continued engagement."