MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

“Hydro power plants built with such high and clean technologies are the precondition for our energy independence and we will have even more such facilities in the coming years. Therefore, we welcome such projects and will always support them,” - Natia Turnava, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development stated after her visit to the Shuakhevi HPP cascade.

According to the Minister, the commissioning of the Shuakhevi HPP cascade, which took place in February 2020, was a big event for Georgia’s energy sector. According to the Minister, the cascade, with a total capacity of 187 MW, is the largest hydropower project in Georgia implemented in the last 70 years.

“Apart from being the green energy of our local production, which the HPP supplies to the market, local residents are being employed here. About 1000 people were employed during the construction work, and over 50 permanent employees are engaged at this point, and that number will increase,” – Natia Turnava said.

According to the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, the development of Georgia’s energy sector is the only way to strengthen Georgia’s economic independence.

The Shuakhevi HPP is a cascade between the  Shuakhevi (178 MW) and Skhalta (9 MW) HPPs with an installed capacity of 187 MW. The Shuakhevi HPP cascade will generate 450 million kWh of electricity, reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases into the environment by 200000 tons annually and helping Georgia to fulfill its commitments regarding the reduction of the climate change under the Association Agreement with the European Union.

The 187 MW Shuakhevi HPP was put into commercial operation in February 2020. The electricity generated has already reached 200 million kWhs.