On January 28 2022, at the Bakhvi 1 Hydropower Plant Ozurgeti Office, per the initiative of the Caucasus Clean Energy Holding, the project management team met with the NGO representatives operating in Guria. The purpose of the meeting was to share information on the Bakhvi 1 Hydropower Plant and heed the views voiced by the NGO representatives. At the meeting, the NGOs were represented by the Environmental Organization ECO and its founder Irma Gordeladze, the Georgian Young Lawyers Association Guria Office and its Head Tamaz Trapaidze, and the Democratic Engagement Center and its Head Grigol Makharadze. The company was represented by its Director Mikheil Nibladze and the technical and environmental team members.
The NGO members were briefed in detail on the project developments. In particular, in the form of a presentation, the participants were briefed on the EIA Report made public on December 20. The project team discussed technical parameters, studies completed, environmental aspects and intended social program activities.
“In recent months, we have held more than 50 meetings and talked to more than 800 individuals. The meetings, presentations and discussions are an important component of our business routine. We have not made a single decision without a dialogue with stakeholders. We have always invited the Guria NGO representatives to meetings in different formats and heeded both their views and concerns. This event today has been specifically scheduled as a discussion with the NGOs. First of all, we appreciate their time and willingness to accept our invitation. I believe for both parties working in this format and sharing ideas is a rather useful process, especially before we proceed with public hearings of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report, which is scheduled by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia to commence on February 10 and 11,” said Bakhvi 1 Hydropower Plant ESG Manager David Mikeladze.
The public hearing of the Bakhvi 1 Hydropower Plant Project Environmental Impact Assessment is scheduled by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia for February 10 and 11, 2022.