The Enguri hydroelectric plant in Georgia – the country’s largest power plant - has been registered under the Kyoto Protocols’ Clean Development Mechanism and is estimated to generate over 5.8 million carbon credits over the ten-year crediting period.
The 1250MW project was able to register thanks to a European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD) financed energy efficiency project in 1998 that saw all five units at the plant upgraded in a $70M project.
“Since 1998 the EBRD has been consistently supporting upgrades at Enguri hydro power plant to increase its energy efficiency. Most recently the Bank has helped build capacity to enable the plant monetise the environmental benefits of cutting greenhouse gas emissions," said Friso de Jong, Carbon Manager at the EBRD. "We are now very proud that the latest project to refurbish the plant has been registered under the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism and will allow the plant to monetise its CO2 emission reduction potential. It is another prominent achievement for Georgia and the wider region, that so far has struggled to benefit from carbon trading.".
The rehabilitation of the Enguri HPP is the fourth Clean Development Mechanism registered project located in Georgia. The registration process was initiated by Engurhesi, the company implementing the project, and was assisted by ICF International, engaged by the EBRD.