On August 5, 2021, at the Ekvtime Takaishvili Museum located in Likhauri village of Ozurgeti Municipality, the Environmental and Social Affairs Advisory Board of the Bakhvi 1 HPP project was established at the initiative of CCEH. The Advisory Board consists of 12 members nominated by the local self-government authorities of Ozurgeti and Chokhatauri municipalities who represent the local civil society, small and medium businesses, the media and self-government.
The Environmental and Social Affairs Advisory Board was established with the goal of strengthening public confidence in the Bakhvi 1 HPP project, maximization of stakeholder involvement in project review, establishing transparent work practices for working on the EIA report, engagement of stakeholders in EIA report review, as well as heeding and considering recommendations and business-focused criticism of stakeholders.
"There is great interest in a small type Bakhvi 1 HPP. In Chokhatauri and Ozurgeti, we held a number of meetings with various stakeholders, answered numerous questions, and it should be noted that we have taken into account a number of sound recommendations voiced by the representatives of local NGOs at the meetings. For example, the project scheme and location were further improved and streamlined in collaboration with the world-renowned Austrian company AFRY, and international consulting company SLR and European experts, such as Pierre Biedermann, were involved in biodiversity research. The working mode is extremely interesting. We work transparently and have an ambition to establish a project that will become a source of pride not only for our team but also for every resident of these municipalities.
We would like to create a successful example of the joint project that benefits each involved party. Establishment of the Advisory Board does serve this idea. In my opinion, the very interesting and at the same time busy period is ahead. The model for which the foundation is currently being laid is unique and we are happy with the fact that our team initiated this proposal. I wish best of luck to the Advisory Board and each of its members," stated Mikheil Nibladze, Director of CCEH.
In the Advisory Board, the NGOs are represented by Nugzar Asatiani, Nino Berdzenishvili and Tamar Oniani; the representatives of self-government are Lela Mdinaradze, Davit Zhgenti, Teimuraz Chanukvadze and Maia Chavleshvili; Ia Mamaladze and Vladimer Menabde from the local media and Kristine Gurielidze and Davit Tenieshvili from business sector will join us as well.
The Board members will meet once a month to discuss environmental and social issues, review the results of researches conducted by international consulting companies and discuss the mechanisms that will guarantee the project success. The representatives of the central and local government, local media and NGOs, as well as various international organizations attended the event dedicated to the Board establishment.
Bakhvi 1 HPP is a small type HPP project with an installed capacity of 12 MW developed by the Caucasus Clean Energy Fund on the Bakhvitskali river.