Protests against construction of new hydro plant by Turkish investors grow in Georgia
Thousands of people came out in protest yesterday on May 23 against the construction of the Namakhvani hydroelectric power station in the Imereti region, in the immediate vicinity of the third largest city after the capital, Kutaisi, Jam News reported.
Activists, supported by many environmentalists, claim the area faces environmental disaster as a result of the construction of a dam for the hydropower plant on the Rioni River.
The authorities argue that there is no danger, and that the Namakhvani hydroelectric power station will be a decisive step in ensuring the country’s energy independence.
The protesters gathered in Republic Square, set up about 50 tents and gave the authorities time to fulfill the main demand, to stop construction, by 12 noon on Monday, May 24. If this does not happen, activists promise to start protests that will “completely paralyze the capital.”
To note, if the hydroelectric power station is nevertheless built, it will be the largest energy project of independent Georgia. The investment cost of the project is $800 million to be released by Turkish company Enka.