"We are working on the modification of the Khudoni hydroelectric power station project. In particular, what I mean is that it was quite a sensitive issue for us, as according to the current project, flooding of the village, graves, and church was foreseen, which, of course, would be very heavy. Therefore, according to my instructions, we are now working on a new project so that if this project is implemented, flooding will no longer be necessary," said Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili at today's government session.
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According to him, after the modification of the project, the capacity of the hydroelectric power station may decrease a little, but the experts tell him that the output may be almost the same. "If it happens, of course, that will make us happy. I would also like to point out that we plan to implement such large projects with the participation of the state, the government. We should be the leader in these projects because these are projects of general national importance, of state importance", the Prime Minister noted.
The construction of the 650 MW Khudon HPP is planned in the village of Khaishi in Zemo Svaneti. According to the current project, the height of the Khudonhesi dam is 200 meters, and to build the reservoir, 528 hectares of territory should be flooded, including part of the Zugdidi-Mestia conjunction road, and up to 2,000 people should be displaced. In 2013, the residents of Khaishi did not allow the company holding the construction permits of the Khudong HPP to start its activities.
On December 19, Minister Davitashvili said that according to the agreement reached with the investor company, in exchange for 13.5 million US dollars, the state, together with the project, returned the lands that were transferred to the company. The Trans Electric company, which has a permit for the construction of the Khudoni power plant, is registered in the offshore zone of the British Virgin Islands. In 2011, the company was given 1,536 hectares of land in Khaishi community for a symbolic price of $1. Since then, the company has not carried out any activities, except for the preparation of the environmental impact assessment report. The minister did not specify what we paid 13.5 million US dollars from the budget.
"Either we will be alive and we will be here, or we will not be alive and then you will see if they will be able to implement it. We can not break an oath. Will they forcibly evict us from our homes?!
With those parameters in that place, we will not allow this project implementation. Therefore, let's think about an alternative", - this is how Zura Nizharadze, a member of the Jury Council of Khaishi, resident, and mathematics teacher, responds to the statement made by the Vice Prime Minister.
About 200 families put a solemn oath upon an icon at saint George's Church that they will not allow flooding and submersion of Khaishi and surrounding villages, cemeteries, and churches, and instead refuse any compensation.
