Georgia: NGO "Green Alternative" opposes Khudoni HPP project

Irakli Macharashvili, an expert of the NGO "Green Alternative", asserts that the project Khudoni Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) is not yet well devised; and its implementation will have a negative impact on the ecology of Svaneti. Local residents are categorically against the construction.

Last October, Kakha Kaladze, the Energy Minister, said that the Georgian government intended to finish the Khudoni HPP and build several more large power plants. According to his story, it will reduce Georgia's economic dependence on other countries.

However, according to Lasha Chkhartishvili, the author of the draft law on moratorium on building large power plants, Georgia can do without them.

According to Irakli Macharashvili, large power plants are "dramatically affecting the environment." In his opinion, the ecological system of Western Georgia "has already suffered from the construction of the Inguri HPP; a great damage was also caused to Georgia's coastline.

The expert has pointed out that the "Trans Electrica" Company during the four years after signing a memorandum with the Georgian government has failed to present the dam project and the results of environment impact studies.