Georgia’s largest hydroelectric power plant, Enguri HPP, has requested simplified emergency procurement to carry out urgent technical maintenance. According to the plant, one of its hydro units is currently offline, reducing Enguri’s capacity by 260 MW.
Documents published by the Procurement Agency indicate that repair work is required on damaged sections of the turbine water intake’s iron lining. The total cost of the work is estimated at GEL 270,139.
According to the documents, “Through-cracks have been detected on the 36 mm-thick iron lining of the turbine water intake, with localized bulging over an area of 7.5 m². The turbine water intake is under static pressure of 40 atmospheres; under operational conditions, the damaged section may cause a plate to detach and enter the spiral chamber, potentially damaging the hydro unit and forcing it offline for an extended period. Additionally, at high pressure, water can seep into the surrounding rock, increasing the filtration flow into the machine hall and significantly raising the load on artesian pumps. Therefore, it is essential to carry out repair and restoration work as quickly as possible.”
During ongoing maintenance on Hydro Unit N5, a mixture of silt and gravel was discovered in the spiral chamber. On January 30, 2026, the N5 turbine water intake was drained for inspection, revealing damage 170 meters from the spherical valve toward the upper bifurcation. These defects pose a risk to the continued operation of Hydro Unit N5.
Enguri HPP is a cornerstone of Georgia’s energy system, generating 30% of the country’s annual electricity. During the flood season (April–August), its share rises to 65–70%, and Enguri electricity remains the cheapest in Georgia. According to the plant, “Failure to repair the damage promptly endangers both Enguri HPP and the financial and technical stability of Georgia’s energy system.”
The plant notes that standard electronic tender procedures under current legislation take significantly longer than emergency procurement, which may delay the work or even cause the tender to fail. “The flood season begins in early April, making it crucial that all units are ready,” Enguri’s management emphasized.
SpetsenergoRemonti LLC has been selected to carry out the repairs, offering the lowest bid in the market study (GEL 270,139 including VAT). In 2025, the Enguri and Vardnili HPP cascade produced approximately 4 billion kWh of electricity combined.
