Xiu Duan Qiuan, general manager of the Khador hydroelectric plant in Georgia's Akhmeti region has indicated that the plant will go into full operation in April 2004, according to the Interfax news agency. Duan Qiuan noted that the completion of a tunnel from the Samkurtistskali river has made it possible to set a final date for the operation of the plant.
The plant’s first 12MW generating unit will be launched in October this year. Following the completion of a tunnel from the Alazani river in spring 2004, the plant’s second unit, also of 12MW, will start operation. Generated electricity will be supplied to Georgia’s eastern regions.
China’s Sichuan Electricity is providing the entire funding of US$27M for the construction of the Khador plant, and will operate the plant for a 20-year period. The plant will then be passed into the ownership of the Georgian side.