Opponents of Namakhvan HPP succeed in seeking suspension of its construction

Today, the Prime Minister of Georgia has promised to suspend the construction of a Namakhvan hydroelectric power plant (HPP) for 9-12 months in order to thoroughly check its impact on the environment. Foreign experts are to be engaged in the examination of the HPP project.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that protests against the construction of the Namakhvan HPP have been going on for almost six months. On March 14, ecologists, civil activists, and politicians took part in a rally on the central square of Kutaisi. They claimed that the Georgian authorities refused to enter a dialogue with opponents of the HPP construction and demanded the resignation of Natiya Turnava, Georgian Minister of Economy.

Today, while visiting the largest Georgian Enguri HPP, Irakli Garibashvili has announced that the construction of a dam at the Namakhvan HPP will be suspended. The Prime Minister of Georgia has examined the progress of the repair work at the Enguri HPP.

“We have reached an agreement with [ENKA] on several points, among which I would like to note that the construction of the dam itself will be suspended for 9-12 months. Everything will be re-examined again, with the engagement of foreign and domestic experts. They will examine the effect of the HPP’s impact on the environment, whether the HPP is harmful or not,” the Prime Minister of Georgia said.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 29, 2021 at 05:54 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.