Following the successful completion of the large-scale rehabilitation works on the diversion tunnel, the hydro units of the country’s largest hydropower plant have started up — 1TV.GE

Enguri HPP is connected to the common power grid of Georgia. Following the successful completion of the large-scale rehabilitation works on the diversion tunnel, the hydro units of the country’s largest hydropower plant have already started up.

According to Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Natia Turnava, rehabilitation works on this scale have not been carried out for the past 15 years. As a result of the rehabilitation of the plant’s diversion tunnel, water losses will fall by 20–30 per cent, which means generating roughly 90 million kWh of additional electricity a year.

“Enguri HPP is a very great wealth of ours, which unites Georgians and our Abkhaz sisters and brothers. As of today Enguri HPP is in service and supplies electricity to the whole of Georgia,” said Natia Turnava.

The minister also thanked the employees of Enguri HPP. “Many thanks to every employee of Enguri HPP and to every worker who took part in the rehabilitation of the Enguri hydropower plant. These works were carried out by a Georgian company, although foreign engineers and specialists were involved in the process. Many thanks to everyone for completing this extremely difficult work so skilfully and ahead of schedule,” said Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Natia Turnava.

Enguri HPP was shut down on 20 January 2021 for the rehabilitation of the diversion tunnel. According to the Ministry of Economy, as a result of the rehabilitation carried out in the diversion tunnel, the volume of water leaking from the tunnel has fallen significantly, which will be reflected in future in the electricity generated by the Enguri hydropower plant.

“The repair works in the plant’s diversion tunnel ran around the clock. The rehabilitated section of the tunnel was inspected jointly by Georgian and foreign specialists. In their assessment, the repair works carried out fully meet the established standards,” the information from the Ministry of Economy states.

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