On May 5, 2022, the Ambassador of the United States of America, Her Excellency Kelly Degnan, visited the Guria region of Georgia as part of a series of trips to mark the 30th anniversary of U.S.-Georgia diplomatic relations. During a stop in Ozurgeti, she attended a meeting of the Advisory Board on Environmental and Social Issues of the Bakhvi 1 Hydropower Project. The U.S. Ambassador learned about current issues related to hydropower development, heard the views of the project management team and Board members, and positively evaluated the experience which the company brought to the region by establishing an advisory board made up of local representatives. The board members, who were selected from a broad section of Guria’s civil society, shared with the Ambassador their opinions and ideas about the project, stressing how important community involvement and support is to a project like this, which will provide long term benefits to Georgia’s energy future.
Ambassador Degnan said, “It is so important to have community involvement from the beginning for projects like these, so that everyone’s concerns can be heard and addressed, and that all community members understand how this project will benefit them and Georgia as a whole.”
Bakhvi 1 HPP is an American investment project in the Guria region. The company aims to invest more than GEL 60 million in the Bakhvi 1 HPP project.
"When we talk about the American investment, it is important to note that American investment obliges us to carry out all works in accordance with the local laws and regulations, as well as in compliance with internationally recognized environmental and social management standards, such as IFC. The investment will bring, experience, knowledge, and employment opportunities directly to the village where the project is being implemented which are critical factors for the country's economic development. We attach high importance to the social projects carried out by our company in collaboration with the local population” - said Mikheil Nibladze, director of Bakhvi 1 HPP project..
Bakhvi 1 HPP is 10.9 MW and its annual generation sums up 43.1 GWh. The investor of the project is Caucasus Renewable Energy Holding (CCEH), which is an international investment company. CCEH commenced its active operations in Georgia in 2015. CCEH aims at investing in the construction of small and medium HPPs in Georgia through equity participation. The investment company in Georgia is represented by its managing director, Mikheil Nibladze. The CCEH team consists of high-level experienced professionals in investment, technical (hydro energy), and environmental fields, Caucasus Renewable Energy Holding's portfolio includes both operational (Lakhami HPP, Bakhvi 3 HPP, Intsoba HPP and Achi HPP), as well as greenfield projects (Akhalkalaki HPP). In addition, the Company has the Bakhvi 1 HPP project which is on the environmental permit stage, and the Bakhvi 2 HPP which is on the feasibility study stage. CCEH operates in full compliance with the Georgian legislation and regulations in accordance with the Environmental and Social Management Standards of international financial institutions such as IFC and EIB.