The executive director of the Georgian Renewable Energy Development Association (GREDA), Maia Melikidze declares, that the biggest challenge to the construction of HPPs is the protest of the local population.
In response to BMG's question on the challenges related to the construction of new hydro generation facilities, Maia Melikidze noted that the current trend was brought by negative propaganda against HPPs.
"The biggest challenge in relation to the construction of hydroelectric power stations is the protest from the local population. For 30 years, there has been negative propaganda against hydroelectric power plants, which has led to the disastrous results we are facing now. Of course, there is support for the construction of small and medium-sized hydropower plants, but this is not enough to meet the current consumption in the country. We are also talking about exports. While our country can become a very strong exporter to Turkey, Armenia, as well as to European countries from 2030, it is really regrettable that there is so much opposition to the construction of electricity generation facilities," said the executive director of GREDA.
She also evaluated the replacement of CFD auctions with the mechanism of direct contracts and noted that the Ministry is still deliberating and has time to decide by which mechanism the sector will be promoted.
