Adjaristsqali Georgia, the joint venture company of Tata Power, Norwegian company Clean Energy Invest and and IFC InfraVentures, has completed the construction of 187MW Shuakhevi hydropower project in Georgia.

The project, which has been built with a cost of more than $420m, is claimed as the largest hydropower project to be built in fifty years in Georgia.

Work on the project started in the fall of 2013 and as a part of the project, One Weir and two Dams with their respective reservoir and connecting tunnels were constructed for water diversion to generate power.

The water conductor system has three tunnels with a total length of 33.48 KM and 3.75 KM of construction adits.

The plant is expected to generate about 470GWh of clean energy while avoiding greenhouse gas emissions of more than 200,000 tons per year.

The Shuakhevi hydropower project is claimed to be the first project in the country to be certified by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in reducing carbon emissions.

Tata Power claims that about 730 locals were employed during the construction phase. Electricity generated from the project will used exclusively by the country during winter, which is a period of energy deficit.

Tata Power CEO & managing director Anil Sardana said: "We are delighted to announce the completion of construction of our Shuakhevi hydro project.

"It is indeed an important plant as it satisfies Georgia's electricity demand during winter, reducing dependence on imported fuel and increasing renewable energy output. We are grateful to our strategic partners, Clean Energy and IFC InfraVentures, for putting us on a strong footing for this project."

Adjaristsqali Georgia CEO Prashant Joshi said: "The Shuakhevi Hydro Power Project will contribute significantly to energy independence of Georgia. We are supporting the strengthening of the energy sector with professional staff. Almost 90% of the Company’s employees are young Georgian engineers.

“We are also on the look-out for opportunities to support the long-term development of the region and improving the living conditions and employability of the local communities in a sustainable way."

Image: Powerhouse of Shuakhevi Hydro Power Project. Photo: Courtesy of Clean Energy Invest AS.