Georgia commissions Khobi-2 HPP, valued at $63 million

TBILISI. Oct 30 (Interfax) - The Georgian investment company Energy LLC has commissioned the Khobi-2 hydroelectric power plant, which has a capacity of 44.5 MW, in the west of the country.

Construction of the HPP began in 2015.

"This is the largest hydroelectric power plant built in Georgia since the collapse of the USSR. Its installed capacity is 44.5 MW and its annual electricity output is 202 million kWh," Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze was quoted as saying by the government's press service at the official launch ceremony for the HPP.

A total of $63 million was invested in the project, he said.

The plant was built on the Khobistskali river in the country's Chkhorotsku district (Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti).

Energy LLC belongs to a Russian citizen, Mevludi Bliadze, Georgian media said. The company also owns a 70% stake in the Larsi and Shilda small hydropower plants.

Khobi-2 was put into pilot industrial operation this summer, an industry report by the investment company TBC Capital (a subsidiary of Georgia's largest bank, TBC Bank) said.

According to the company, Georgia produced 7.33 billion kWh of electricity in H1 2024, up 3.9% year-on-year. HPPs produced 82.6% of Georgia's energy, thermal power plants 16.9% and wind plants 0.5%. Electricity consumption increased 2.7% YoY to 6.75 billion kWh.

Electricity production in Georgia will be almost 15 billion kWh in 2024, Kobakhidze previously said.

According to the Georgian Economy Ministry, the capacity of the country's energy system will grow to 10,000 MW by 2032 from the current level of 4,560 MW. The share of HPPs in the energy system's installed capacity stands at more than 50%. It will rise to 74% in 2032.