Georgia, Tbilisi, Dec. 12 / Trend N.Kirtskhalia /
The Trans Electrica Ltd company registered in the offshore area of the Virgin Islands, has indefinitely postponed a public hearing of the impact assessment report of the Khudoni hydropower plant project on the environment.
This hearing was scheduled to begin in Khaishi village in the Svaneti region, Western Georgia in December.
In the case of the Khudoni cascade's construction, this village would be at risk of flooding. Another hearing was to be held in Tbilisi on December 20.
The Trans Electrica stated that it is conducting additional research and renewing it efforts to obtain a permit for construction.
The Georgian government allowed the company to restart construction of Khudoni HPP in December 2009, when a memorandum of understanding was signed with the Indian company Continental Construction. Later, the right for construction was unexpectedly transferred to the Trans Electrica Company. The name of the company's founder is classified as secret.
To date, the company has held five public discussions over the gigantic project and expected a permit for construction.
Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze believes that there are many questions surrounding the construction of the plant.
"In future we will consider the possibility of repeated public discussions as there are many questions regarding the continuation of Khudoni hydropower plant's construction. Trans Electrica has to present a technical and economic view and the impact of this project on the environment. Flooding of Khaishi and the possibility of moving the village is another complex issue," Kaladze said.
Khudoni HPP was envisaged as the second largest hydropower plant after Inguri HPP, whose installed capacity is about 800 megawatts.
