Green Alternative’s position on the termination of the Khudoni hydropower plant agreement
On 28 April 2011 the Government of Georgia, Trans Electrica Limited, Trans Electrica Limited (Georgia), Energotrans Ltd and Electricity System Commercial Operator signed an agreement on the construction of a 702 MW hydropower plant in Zemo Svaneti in the Mestia municipality, hereinafter referred to as the ‘agreement’. The project envisages the construction of a 200m arch dam and a reservoir with total area of 528 ha (364.5m cubic meters). The project has a number of pressing social, environmental and economic issues.[1] We believe that Georgia will not benefit from the project. Moreover, the government has undertaken significant commitments and risks that have not been adequately secured by relevant guarantees, and the presence of corruption risks is also apparent.
During the 2012 parliamentary elections the bloc (Political coalition) “Bidzina Ivanishvili – Georgian Dream” undertook a commitment in its electoral program to prohibit construction of large hydropower plants after coming to power. This promise was voiced for multiple times during pre-election meetings and media speeches. Despite this promise, after coming to power, Georgian Dream neither stopped already launched projects, nor refused to continue the projects initiated by the United National Movement.
