Overview

The Khudoni Hydro Power Plant (Khudoni HPP) is a projected hydroelectric power station located in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region of Georgia. The facility is situated on the Enguri River and remains in the proposed operational status. The project is characterized by a total installed capacity of 700 MW, derived from three turbine units with a nominal capacity of 233.3 MW each. The infrastructure plan includes a significant concrete double-arch-gravity dam, designed to reach a height of 200.5 metres. The Government of Georgia is identified as the operator for this energy infrastructure project.

Strategic Energy Context

The Khudoni HPP is recognized as a key component of Georgia's broader hydroelectric development strategy. According to a study commissioned by the Georgian government and supported by the World Bank, the construction of the Khudoni plant, alongside the Namakhvani and Paravani hydro power plants, represents one of the most attractive scenarios for the development of the country's energy sector. This assessment highlights the strategic importance of the Enguri River basin for national energy security and capacity expansion.

Why it matters

The facility, located on the Enguri River in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, is designed with a total capacity of 700 MW, utilizing three turbines with a nominal capacity of 233.3 MW each. This proposed infrastructure addresses significant challenges in the nation’s power grid, particularly concerning energy security and seasonal variability in generation.

Addressing Energy Demand and Investment Lags

Georgia’s electricity demand has experienced a notable rise since 2009, a period marked by fluctuating investment levels that have sometimes lagged behind consumption growth. This gap has intensified the need for large-scale hydroelectric developments to stabilize the grid. The Khudoni project aims to mitigate these fluctuations by leveraging the hydrological characteristics of the Enguri River. By accumulating excess water during the summer months, the plant is designed to generate substantial power during the winter season, a period when thermal generation typically increases to meet peak demand.

Strategic Role in Winter Generation

The strategic value of Khudoni HPP lies in its ability to reduce reliance on imported natural gas for thermal plants during the winter months. Georgia’s energy mix has historically depended on thermal generation to supplement hydroelectric output, especially when water reserves are depleted. The planned 200.5-metre concrete double-arch-gravity dam is central to this strategy, providing the storage capacity necessary to shift generation profiles. However, the adequacy of Khudoni alone to fully resolve seasonal deficits remains a subject of debate. While the 700 MW capacity offers significant relief, continued need for thermal generation suggests that Khudoni is part of a broader, multi-project solution rather than a standalone fix for the country’s energy security challenges.

History of the Khudoni Project

The Khudoni Hydro Power Plant project has a complex and interrupted timeline spanning several decades. Initial construction efforts began in 1979. However, the project was halted in 1989, a pause attributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union and rising environmental protests in the region. Following the initial stoppage, the project faced further delays. In the early 1990s, the initiative was effectively blocked by various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) advocating for the preservation of the local environment along the Enguri River.

The project saw a significant revival during the mid-2000s. Between 2005 and 2006, the government of Mikheil Saakashvili pushed to restart the Khudoni HPP. This revival was driven by the urgent need to mitigate frequent power outages affecting Georgia's energy sector. To support this effort, the World Bank became involved in the project. The international financial institution provided a technical assistance grant valued at USD 5 million to help advance the planning and feasibility studies for the hydroelectric facility.

Public opposition to the dam continued to influence the project's trajectory. On 19 September 2013, a notable protest action took place in Tbilisi. This demonstration was organized by Lasha Chkhartishvili and other activists. The protest highlighted the ongoing tension between energy infrastructure development and environmental conservation in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. Despite these historical challenges and public scrutiny, the Khudoni HPP remains a proposed entity with a total capacity of 700 MW, associated with a planned 200.5-metre concrete double-arch-gravity dam.

What are the environmental impacts of the Khudoni Dam?

The proposed Khudoni HPP and its associated 200.5-metre concrete double-arch-gravity dam present significant environmental challenges, primarily concerning the upper Inguri basin. The project area encompasses critical sub-alpine forests and meadows that support a diverse range of fauna. Documented species at risk include forest birds, large raptors, mountain goats, chamois, brown bears, wolves, lynx, roe deer, and wild boar. The creation of the reservoir will inevitably flood these habitats, leading to direct habitat devastation and potential fragmentation of wildlife corridors. Furthermore, the alteration of the river flow threatens the loss of native river species and contributes to the degradation of upstream catchments, altering the ecological balance of the Enguri River system.

Sedimentation and Data Limitations

A critical concern regarding the reservoir's long-term viability is the reliance on outdated sediment data. Current assessments appear to depend on data collected between 1966 and 1986, which may not accurately reflect contemporary sedimentation rates. This discrepancy raises questions about the actual lifespan of the reservoir and the efficiency of the 700 MW capacity over time. Inadequate sediment modeling can lead to unexpected siltation, reducing storage capacity and affecting turbine performance. The limitations in cumulative impact assessments further complicate the evaluation, as they may not fully account for the synergistic effects of the dam on the broader ecosystem. The integration of new infrastructure, such as the planned 20 km road, adds another layer of environmental pressure, potentially increasing runoff and altering local hydrology. These factors necessitate a rigorous re-evaluation of the environmental baseline to ensure the sustainability of the Khudoni HPP.

How does the project affect the Svaneti Cultural Heritage?

The Khudoni Hydro Power Plant project intersects directly with Zemo Svaneti (Upper Svaneti), a region designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. This area is the heartland of the Svan people, an ethnic subgroup of Georgians known for their distinct language, traditions, and iconic medieval tower-houses that dot the mountainous landscape. The construction of the 200.5-metre concrete double-arch-gravity dam and the subsequent reservoir inundation pose significant physical and cultural threats to this heritage. The environmental and social impact assessment for the project has faced criticism for lacking a detailed description of the specific cultural heritage sites that would be affected. This omission has raised concerns among historians, local residents, and international observers regarding the potential irreversible loss of archaeological and architectural landmarks. Furthermore, the project necessitates the resettlement of approximately 2000 people. The lack of a fully released and transparent resettlement plan has fueled significant distrust among the local population. Residents fear that the relocation process may not adequately compensate for the loss of ancestral lands and that the social fabric of the Svan communities could be fractured. The Svans have historically maintained a strong connection to their high-altitude environment, and the displacement caused by the Khudoni HPP is viewed not just as a physical move, but as a cultural disruption. The absence of clear, accessible documentation regarding the resettlement strategy has exacerbated tensions, with locals questioning whether their voices are being heard in the decision-making process led by the Government of Georgia and supported by the World Bank. This uncertainty undermines the social license to operate and highlights the complex interplay between energy development and cultural preservation in Georgia's western regions.

What is the stance of the Indigenous Svan Communities?

On 5 March 2018, representatives of 17 Svan communities convened in Mestia for a pivotal meeting at Lalkhor to articulate their opposition to ongoing infrastructure development in the region. The gathering focused on resisting both gold mining operations and large-scale hydropower projects, including the Khudoni Hydro Power Plant. The participants viewed these developments as significant threats to their traditional way of life and the local environment.

Key Demands and Petitions

The delegates issued a formal petition outlining several critical demands. A primary objective was the discontinuation of more than 50 dam projects across the region. This list included major facilities such as the Nenskra and Mestiachala hydroelectric plants, alongside the Khudoni project. The communities argued that the sheer volume of proposed infrastructure was unsustainable and required immediate re-evaluation by national authorities.

A central theme of the Lalkhor meeting was the political status of the Svan people. The petition explicitly demanded official recognition of the Svans as an indigenous group. This recognition was linked to the establishment of rights to customary property, which the communities argued had been historically undervalued in national planning processes. Furthermore, the delegates called for a legal framework that would ban any infrastructure development without the prior, informed consent of the affected Svan communities. This stance highlighted a growing tension between Georgia's energy expansion goals and the local population's desire for autonomy over their ancestral lands.

Technical and Procedural Criticisms

The planning procedures for the Khudoni Hydro Power Plant have faced significant technical and procedural criticisms, particularly regarding environmental impact assessments and social safeguards. Critics have highlighted a lack of distinction between different groups of affected people in the impact assessment, which may lead to inadequate compensation and social integration strategies. The assessment fails to recognize the diverse socio-economic profiles of the displaced populations, necessitating tailored livelihood restoration packages to ensure equitable outcomes for all stakeholders involved in the project.

Furthermore, the sediment inflow measurements used in the project's feasibility studies have been questioned for their accuracy and comprehensiveness. Flaws in these measurements could lead to underestimating the volume of sediment that will accumulate behind the proposed 200.5-metre concrete double-arch-gravity dam. This underestimation poses a risk of landslides and rock falls, which could compromise the structural integrity of the dam and the surrounding infrastructure. It has been recommended that these measurements be redone with more rigorous methodologies to mitigate these risks effectively.

Another critical flaw identified is the scope of the cumulative environmental impact assessment. The current assessment only includes areas downstream from the proposed dam, potentially overlooking significant environmental changes upstream and in the immediate vicinity of the dam site. This limited scope may fail to capture the full extent of ecological disruption, including changes in water flow, temperature, and sediment transport, which are crucial for the health of the Enguri River ecosystem. A more comprehensive assessment is needed to ensure that the environmental impacts are fully understood and adequately addressed in the project's planning and execution phases.

See also