ინტერვიუ ბახვი ჰესის გარემოსდაცვითი და სოციალური საკითხების მენეჯერთან, დავით კობერიძესთან
Interview with David Koberidze, Environmental, Social, and Governance Manager August 2023 Bakhvi HPP is currently awaiting its construction permit. However, after receiving environmental impact permits from the National Environmental Agency for both of its hydropower projects (Bakhvi 1 HPP in June 2022 and Bakhvi 2 HPP in May 2023), the company has moved to what is known as the pre-construction phase. Mr. David, what does the pre-construction phase involve, and what activities are being carried out during this time?
Hello, and thank you for your interest. The pre-construction phase involves preparing for the actual construction work. It’s a busy time for us, with tasks including selecting contractors, tenders, and contracts, as well as preparing for the construction phase itself. All our social projects are actively ongoing. As you know, our social program in Mtispiri and Chkhakhaura started in 2021 and is progressing well. Our team, including environmental issues managers, community relations, technical managers, as well as lawyers, financial experts, and communication staff, is actively involved in ongoing matters. Proper planning and management are crucial to ensure that the construction phase proceeds smoothly.
Environmental issues are crucial and of great interest to citizens. How are environmental principles being considered and effectively implemented during the pre-construction phase? Environmental issues are significant for both the local population and all employees in our company. Therefore, back in 2021 and subsequently in 2022, we invited international experts to prepare environmental impact reports for both Bakhvi HPP projects. These experts not only studied the existing environmental conditions within the construction perimeter but also provided us with an action plan to minimize or mitigate environmental impacts during construction. Our company adheres to international standards for environmental protection.
For example, does this include forest reforestation? Exactly. One of the best examples is forest reforestation. Following international best practices and goodwill principles, we plan to afforest 60 hectares of forest. Currently, experts from the consulting firm "Ecolosion" are working on identifying suitable areas for this purpose. As you can imagine, thirty hectares is not a small area, and our primary task within the reforestation plan is to identify areas where we will plant endemic species of seedlings that will turn into a forest over a few years. We will also support the development of sparse forest cover. The reforestation plan by "Ecolusion" will be ready by this fall, and we will definitely make it public.
Are there any preparatory works currently being carried out on the construction site? According to our estimates, Bakhvi HPP will receive construction permits for both projects in 2023. However, after obtaining environmental impact permits, we had the procedural opportunity to request permits for preliminary works to prepare the area. Therefore, we approached the National Forestry Agency’s Forest Use Department. As a result, the National Forestry Agency granted us special use rights for the forest area within both projects' scopes. We also contacted the Ozurgeti Municipality regarding the placement of a construction camp on state-owned non-agricultural land in Mtispiri, and we received the necessary permissions.
Has the company already started implementing these permits, or will you begin work now? Preliminary preparatory work for which we have obtained certain permissions has already started. As for the construction camp, work is also underway. We will have two offices in Ozurgeti: one in Ozurgeti for those whose work does not require staying at the camp, and the technical team will be based at the construction camp.
Are there any preparatory works currently being carried out on the construction site? With the first half of 2023 nearly over, how would you summarize the progress of the first six months? Are there any delays? Our schedule is quite dynamic and multifaceted. We are in an active phase, and I must admit that it has been this way since 2021. There is a lot of work, and it is very interesting. The social projects we are undertaking, which started during the preparation of environmental impact reports, are particularly noteworthy. It has been a year and a half since we began implementing these projects in the region, and we can confidently discuss the scale we have reached. Each project we undertake with the local community is aimed at long-term results and the involvement of all interested parties. Finally, how would you assess the development of hydropower projects in Georgia? Based on international sources, organizations working on climate issues report that July 2023 was the hottest July on record since temperature measurements began. Scientists have replaced the term global warming with global boiling. In this context, it is crucial to consider and understand the benefits of renewable energies. Each country should strive to minimize its climate impact, which includes stopping greenhouse gas emissions. Hydropower plants are recognized as a crucial tool for this, as they do not emit greenhouse gases during operation and thus help mitigate global warming. Therefore, it is important for countries to choose renewable energies for the future, such as hydro, solar, and wind power. However, it should be noted that hydro energy plays an irreplaceable role, as it is stable, continuous, and reliable. Wind and solar power require specific conditions and are largely dependent on environmental conditions.